Tampa Bay @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 8, Houston 0

After a slow start, the Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff is starting to look more like the one that led the major leagues in ERA last year. Roberto Hernandez goes to the mound Wednesday to try and help give the visiting Rays their third straight shutout against the Houston Astros. Tampa Bay has allowed fewer than two runs in six of its last nine games and is on a four-game winning streak as it continues a stretch of 14 straight contests against teams under .500.

Evan Longoria returned to the Rays' lineup Tuesday as the designated hitter after missing three games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Houston has recorded only six hits in the first two contests of the four-game series and scored a total of five runs during its five-game losing streak. Jose Altuve leads the Astros in hits and batting average but is 0-for-10 in his last three games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (4-9, 4.98 ERA) vs. Astros RH Bud Norris (5-7, 3.35)

Hernandez has lost three straight starts, yielding 12 runs over 20 2/3 innings, and five of his last seven decisions. The 32-year-old has been an innings eater, averaging just over six per outing, but has given up 99 hits - including 15 home runs - in 90 1/3 frames. Hernandez never has faced Houston in his career, but former Rays first baseman Carlos Pena is 2-for-12 with two RBIs against him.

Norris has registered only one victory in his last nine starts but has pitched relatively well while giving up 16 runs (14 earned) over the last eight. The 28-year-old surrendered one unearned run over seven innings in his last outing against the Los Angeles Angels without receiving a decision. James Loney is 7-for-14 in his career against Norris, who is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA in two starts vs. Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Loney is 21-for-52 with seven RBIs during his 13-game hitting streak.

2. Houston batters have struck out 23 times in the last two games. The Astros lead the majors with 784 strikeouts.

3. Rays RF Wil Myers has hit safely in 13 of his first 15 major-league games while collecting 11 RBIs.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Rays 3