Orioles try to turn it around versus Angels

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Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The Baltimore Orioles are off to their worst start since 2010 and they'll try to turn things around Wednesday night at the Los Angeles Angels.

The Orioles -- who are 8-21, just as they were in 2010 -- had one hit through eight innings in the series opener Tuesday, but scored two runs in the ninth to tie the score 2-2, only to lose on a walk-off single by Justin Upton in the bottom half of the inning.

The Angels (17-12) ended a four-game losing streak.

Orioles shortstop Manny Machado continues to be the lone bright spot in the batting order. He went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run Tuesday. He's 9-for-19 in the past five games with six RBI.

Baltimore right-hander Dylan Bundy (1-3, 2.97 ERA) and Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney (0-1, 6.91) are the scheduled starting pitchers Wednesday. They already have plenty in common. They are former first-round draft picks from the state of Oklahoma and have also had Tommy John surgery in the past five years.

Bundy was selected fourth overall by the Orioles in 2011 out of Owasso High School.

The Miami Marlins drafted Heaney ninth overall the following year out of Oklahoma State.

Bundy has pitched better than Heaney overall this season, but doesn't have much to show for his efforts.

Bundy had a 1.42 ERA after five starts, but the offense failed to support him with more than three runs in any of those outings.

The Orioles scored five runs in his most recent start, but Bundy was tagged for eight runs (seven earned) and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.

"That's a night that you'd like to see the offense bail him out because we certainly owed him one along the way this season so far," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Bundy has made two appearances against the Angels in his career.

In his lone start against Los Angeles, he struck out 10 batters on Aug. 7 of last season. That was his career high until he struck out 12 three weeks later against the Seattle Mariners. Bundy went seven innings in the start against the Angels, allowing two runs and five hits in the 6-2 victory, which helped him go 4-0 during the month.

Los Angeles center fielder Mike Trout, who had four walks while batting in front of Upton on Tuesday night, including three intentionally, has achieved success in limited opportunities against Bundy. He's 3-for-4 with a home run.

Heaney is coming off his most promising start of the season, allowing two runs (one earned) and five hits over five innings against the visiting New York Yankees on Friday. Heaney had struck out nine when he exited with the scored tied 1-1, and the Angels eventually lost 4-3 in 10 innings.

Heaney does not have a decision in two career starts against Baltimore.

He made his return from Tommy John surgery against the Orioles last season. He gave up five runs and seven hits, including four home runs, in five innings in Baltimore on Aug. 18.

Machado has had success against Heaney, going 3-for-6 in his career with two home runs.