Baltimore @ San Diego preview
Petco Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 19, 2010 ) Baltimore 5, San Diego 4
Adam Jones had what they call a perma-smile.
The Baltimore Orioles outfielder was at his first All-Star game last July, and as he took in the experience at Busch Stadium a smile never left his face.
It was a well-deserved honor, but Jones hasn’t played up to that level this season and will have trouble making it back in 2010.
The 24-year-old, however, is beginning to show signs of regaining that form.
Although Jones had an eight-game hitting streak, in which he hit .357, stopped earlier in the week, he has followed it up with two multi-hit games in his last four games with two home runs, including the game-winner on Saturday to even the interleague series with the San Diego Padres.
Jones’ overall numbers are OK (.256, 9 home runs and 26 RBIs) but do not compare to his 2009 first half (.303, 12 HR, 47 RBIs) that got him elected to the All-Star team. He has actually been on a downslide since playing in the Midsummer Classic.
He hit just .222 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs in 39 games in the second half that was cut short by a severe left ankle sprain.
Acquired from Seattle in the Erik Bedard trade before the 2009 season, Jones has the ability to get it rolling again and will look to keep his recent hot streak flowing Sunday in the series finale at Petco Park.
If Jones and the rest of the Orioles offense do have a big game, it could lead to a history-making day for the franchise.
Rookie right-hander starter Jake Arrieta looks to become the first pitcher in Orioles history to start his career 3-0 after three starts. He has pitched well in beating the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants, sporting a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings.
Arrieta will be opposed by veteran right-hander Jon Garland, whose effective pitching is one of the reasons the Padres remain atop the National League West and have been one the baseball’s surprises the All-Star break approaches.
Garland is in a bit of skid right now, but it would have been difficult to maintain the level he was at through May when he won six of his first eight decisions with a 2.15 ERA. In June, he is 0-3 with a 6.50 ERA in as many starts.
Garland’s resurgence at the beginning of the season, considering he was on his fifth team in four seasons, was a bit surprising. After an up-and-down first half with Arizona last season, he pitched well down the stretch after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the last two months.