Preview: Baltimore (57-60) at Tampa Bay (46-71) 7:15 p.m. EDT

SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW

(BALTIMORE-TAMPA BAY)

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Orioles hope to avoid losing their first series this month when they continue a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday.

The Orioles, who have not lost a series since dropping two of three from July 29-31 at Minnesota, dropped Monday's opener, 4-3, when pinch hitter Jared Sandberg knocked in Julio Lugo with a two-out double in the bottom of the ninth against B.J. Ryan.

BizVantage – Beyond the news: indepth on business, investment and technology.
Try the free, no-hassle 6 month trial!

Travis Lee tied the contest for Tampa Bay with a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth against Eric DuBose.

Baltimore's Rodrigo Lopez (5-6, 5.69 ERA) can win a third straight start for the first time this season. Lopez is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA in his last two starts, beating Minnesota and Boston.

Lopez is 0-4 with an 8.10 ERA in six road starts this season. The 27-year-old righthander lost to Tampa Bay on April 19 by allowing seven runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings in an 8-7 defeat. Lifetime, he is 4-1 with a 3.24 ERA in six games - four starts - against the Devil Rays, including 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA at Tropicana Field.

Rob Bell (2-2, 6.27) is searching for his first win since July 21 for Tampa Bay. Bell, who has not lost since June 25, has not received a decision in any of his last three outings.

Bell pitched well his last time out, surrendering just two runs and seven hits over seven innings last Thursday in a 3-2 victory over Kansas City. The righthander has never faced Baltimore.