Baltimore @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 18, 2012 ) Baltimore 0, NY Mets 5
The Baltimore Orioles received some of their own medicine in Monday's series opener versus the New York Mets. After extending their scoreless streak to 25 innings, the Orioles were essentially felled by one big swing from Ike Davis and a one-hitter by R.A. Dickey in a shutout loss. Baltimore will look for better success on Tuesday when it faces Johan Santana, who will pitch in front of the Citi Field faithful for the first time since recording the first no-hitter in franchise history.
After mustering just five runs in a series sweep by Cincinnati, New York matched that total in Monday's 5-0 victory. Davis collected a career-high four RBIs on one swing during the sixth inning. He has two homers and 11 RBIs in his last nine contests to raise his average to .196.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Tommy Hunter (3-3, 5.58 ERA) vs. Mets LH Johan Santana (4-3, 3.23 ERA)
Hunter secured his first win since April 24 after logging six innings in a 12-6 triumph over Pittsburgh on Thursday. The 25-year-old was far from dominant, but did strike out five and did not walk a batter for the fourth straight outing. Hunter, who has yet to face the Mets, is looking for his first road victory while making his sixth such start this season.
Santana has struggled since his historic night. After allowing four homers in a 9-1 loss to the rival Yankees, the veteran southpaw permitted four runs and walked as many over five innings in a 9-6 victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday. Santana is 4-1 in his career versus the Orioles.
WALK-OFFS
1. Wilson Betemit was the lone Oriole to get the better of Dickey in the series opener. Betemit, who had a two-out single in the fifth inning, is 7-for-15 in his last five games. He has yet to face Santana in his career.
2. New York's David Wright extended his hitting streak to nine games with an RBI single in the eighth inning.
3. Baltimore infielder Robert Andino will return to the lineup on Tuesday, according to manager Buck Showalter.