Baltimore @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2013 ) Baltimore 6, Arizona 7

The Arizona Diamondbacks recorded a dramatic victory in the opener of the three-game series and seek to defeat the visiting Baltimore Orioles again on Tuesday. Adam Eaton hit a walkoff homer on the first pitch of the ninth inning to give Arizona a 7-6 victory and keep the Diamondbacks 5 1/2 games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the National League’s second wild-card spot. Baltimore slugger Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 43rd homer.

The Orioles are 4-2 on an eight-game road trip against NL West teams and are two games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL’s second wild-card berth. Brian Roberts had two RBIs and Matt Wieters homered in a back-and-forth game in which Baltimore tied the contest in both the eighth and ninth innings. Eaton’s homer was his first of the season and third of his career.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (8-5, 3.91 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Randall Delgado (4-3, 3.48)

Gonzalez is 0-2 during a rough three-start stretch in which he has allowed 18 runs (13 earned) and 23 hits in 14 1/3 innings. He gave up three runs in 19 1/3 innings over his previous three outings before falling into the slump. Gonzalez is 3-4 with a 3.68 ERA in 11 road starts this season.

Delgado is 3-0 over his last five outings, his last loss coming July 8 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He received a no-decision against Tampa Bay in his last start, giving up four runs and eight hits in five innings. Delgado lost his lone career start against Baltimore when he gave up just two runs in eight innings last season as a member of the Atlanta Braves.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona 2B Aaron Hill has homered in three consecutive games and has recorded a career-best five straight multihit games.

2. Davis has five homers in 10 August games after hitting only seven homers in July.

3. Diamondbacks OF Cody Ross (dislocated hip) is slated to undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 8, Orioles 7