Baltimore @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 8, 2018 ) Baltimore 5, Tampa Bay 4

Mark Trumbo has stepped up since trades took two major threats from the Baltimore Orioles’ lineup, and the 32-year-old slugger looks to extend his hitting streak to 11 games Thursday in the rubber match of the three-game series against the host Tampa Bay Rays. Trumbo has gone 15-for-40 with four homers and 13 RBIs during his streak, most of it without the traded Jonathan Schoop in the lineup and all of it since star Manny Machado was dealt.

Trumbo joined Adam Jones and Tim Beckham in going deep Wednesday before the Orioles rallied for two runs in the ninth inning to post a 5-4 victory that evened the set at a win apiece and gave them an 8-7 lead in the season series. Rookie David Hess has allowed three runs over 13 2/3 innings against the Rays this year, notching his only two wins, and will take the mound Thursday opposite Tampa Bay reliever Hunter Wood. The Rays have dropped four of their last five contests - all by a single run - and left the potential tying run on third base in the ninth inning to fall back to .500. Tampa Bay’s Joey Wendle recorded a pair of hits Wednesday and is 8-for-20 with four RBIs this month.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH David Hess (2-6, 6.41 ERA) vs. Rays RH Hunter Wood (0-0, 3.22)

Hess is winless in his last nine outings, including Friday's loss at Texas in which he surrendered seven runs - five earned - and six hits over 3 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old native of Tennessee won two of his first three starts this season but is 0-5 with a 7.50 ERA during his winless streak. Wendle is 4-for-5 and Matt Duffy has homered versus Hess, who has gone 1-3 with a 6.61 ERA on the road during his rookie campaign.

Wood will open the game with an inning or two for the sixth time this year after permitting one run on two hits and two walks over 1 2/3 frames in that role Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. The 24-year-old from Arkansas has posted a 2.16 ERA over 8 1/3 innings in his first five starts, giving up eight hits while registering 15 strikeouts. Austin Wynns homered on July 29 against Wood, who has yielded two runs over 3 1/3 frames versus the Orioles this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays have played the most one-run games in the majors this season, going 21-27 in those contests.

2. Jones, who is just 5-for-24 with one RBI this month, needs one double to reach 300 with the Orioles.

3. Tampa Bay OF Mallex Smith has gone 6-for-13 over his last three contests to raise his average to .298.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 4