Blue Jays at Orioles
The last-place Baltimore Orioles have pulled within two games of Toronto in the American League East and have a chance to post their first series win in seven weeks when they host the Blue Jays in the second of a three-game set Wednesday night. Baltimore pounded out six doubles -- four for RBIs -- to send skidding Toronto to its fifth consecutive defeat in the series opener.
Anthony Santander had an RBI double among three hits in his first home game of the season and is 6-for-16 since he was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk last week. Jonathan Villar had a pair of doubles and drove in a run in the 4-2 victory to end an 11-game drought without an extra-base hit and an RBI. Eric Sogard homered for the punchless Blue Jays, who have been outscored 32-8 during their five-game slid while extending their road losing streak to seven in a row. Toronto's Edwin Jackson will try to halt both skids when he opposes fellow right-hander David Hess in a matchup of pitchers who have combined to lose their last 12 decisions.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), MASH (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Edwin Jackson (0-4, 11.90 ERA) vs. Orioles RH David Hess (1-8, 7.08)
Jackson lost his fourth consecutive start with another ugly outing, giving up six runs over 3 1/3 innings versus the Yankees, but he is getting another shot against Baltimore because "we don't have anybody else," manager Charlie Montoyo said. Despite the ragged effort, the 35-year-old actually shaved more than a run off his ERA, but he has been torched for 29 runs in 14 2/3 innings during the losing streak. Chris Davis is 0-for-17 against Jackson, who hasn't faced the Orioles since the 2012 season.
Hess registered his second quality start of the season but remained winless since his first start in Toronto, allowing three earned runs and eight hits over six innings in a loss at Texas. He earned his lone victory by holding the Blue Jays without a hit over 6 1/3 innings on April 1, but he is 0-8 in 12 subsequent starts while surrendering a major league-worst 20 home runs. Justin Smoak is hitless in 11 at-bats against Hess, who has labored at Camden Yards with an 0-4 record and 10.57 ERA in five starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles RH Alex Cobb will undergo season-ending hip surgery this week.
2. Blue Jays 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 2-for-15 over his last four games.
3. Orioles RH Mychal Givens notched his sixth save with his fourth straight scoreless, hitless appearance.