Royals at Orioles
The Kansas City Royals own one of the worst road records in the majors, but they've quietly put together a nice stretch away from home. They will try to claim a season-high fourth consecutive road victory when they continue a three-game series at the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
Behind the first career home run from Nick Dini and the second from Nicky Lopez, Kansas City took the opener 5-4 to improve to 21-41 away from home. The Orioles endured a 1-12 stretch against top competition in the American League and were unable to turn things around against one of the league's lesser teams Monday night while going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They will search for a big hit or two against Kansas City right-hander Brad Keller in Tuesday's matchup. Dylan Bundy takes the hill for Baltimore, which has lost four straight to the Royals dating to last season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (7-13, 4.10 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (5-13, 5.25)
Keller is suffering through a personal four-game losing streak while posting a 4.85 ERA. He has lasted at least six innings in seven consecutive outings, including in a quality start against St. Louis his last time out. The 24-year-old defeated the Orioles in his only prior matchup with them last year, tossing eight innings of two-run ball at home.
Bundy gave up six runs over 5 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday to fall to 13-29 over the last two years. He is just 1-8 at home this year and has not won at Camden Yards since May 4. Brett Phillips is 2-for-3 with a home run and a double against Bundy, who owns a 5.66 ERA in five career games (four starts) versus Kansas City.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles INF Jonathan Villar slugged his 16th home run Monday, leaving him four shy of becoming the sixth different player in franchise history to have 20 homers and 20 steals in a year.
2. Royals RF Jorge Soler has 32 strikeouts and 32 walks since the beginning of July after fanning 104 times and drawing 25 free passes through the end of June.
3. Kansas City INF Cheslor Cuthbert is hitless in his last 34 at-bats.