Baltimore @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2013 ) Baltimore 9, Kansas City 2

The Baltimore Orioles, who are in the midst of their longest winning streak of the season, go for their sixth straight victory on Tuesday in the second contest of their four-game series against the host Kansas City Royals. Baltimore mauled the Royals in the series opener, collecting 18 hits to reach the 100-game mark at a season-high 14 games over .500. The Orioles have won eight of nine overall to draw within 2 1/2 games of the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox.

Kansas City continues to fall off the pace in the AL Central, dropping six games under .500 (45-51) and eight behind division-leading Detroit. A lack of offense has been the biggest issue during the Royals' latest swoon, which has seen the team lose seven of nine games while scoring only 22 runs during that span. Kansas City ranks last in the AL with 62 homers and has produced only a pair of blasts over the last nine contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FSN (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jason Hammel (7-6, 5.24 ERA) vs. Royals LH Bruce Chen (3-0, 2.04)

Hammel is desperate for a victory, going 0-4 during an eight-start winless drought. He has allowed at least four runs five times during that stretch, including his last outing, when he was raked for six runs on 10 hits in a 10-6 loss to Toronto. The inability to keep the ball in the park has tormented Hammel, who has surrendered 19 homers overall and 11 since his last win on May 27.

Chen is making his second start since joining the rotation just prior to the All-Star break. The veteran southpaw was outstanding in his first outing, allowing only one hit over six scoreless frames before leaving with a pitch count of 97. Chen lost both starts he made against Baltimore a year ago, getting tagged for 10 runs in 9 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Hammel has pitched better away from Baltimore, posting a 6-2 mark in 11 road starts.

2. Kansas City's streak of 11 straight errorless games, which tied a franchise record, was snapped Monday.

3. Orioles DH Danny Valencia is mired in an 0-for-20 skid, but he's 11-for-20 with four doubles and seven RBIs versus Chen.

PREDICTION: Orioles 4, Royals 3