Los Angeles @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2010 ) LA Angels 3, Baltimore 6
Buck Showalter's managerial debut with the Baltimore Orioles was a smashing success. Now the new skipper has a chance to achieve a rare feat - lead Baltimore to a series win.
The Orioles look to secure just their fifth series victory tonight when they host the Los Angeles Angels in the middle game of their three-game set.
Playing its first game under Showalter, Baltimore erased a two-run deficit and posted a 6-3 triumph over Los Angeles on Tuesday. Matt Wieters went 3-for-3 with two RBIs while Luke Scott and Josh Bell also drove in two runs apiece as Jeremy Guthrie tossed seven effective innings en route to just his second win in 12 starts.
The victory, which snapped a three-game losing streak, was only the Orioles' third in their last 12 home games. Baltimore improved to 4-14 since the All-Star break.
With a win either tonight or Thursday, the Orioles will clinch their fifth series of the season. The club has won just four of its 34 sets thus far.
Receiving the first chance to seal the series win is Brian Matusz, who is not very familiar with success this year.
After going 2-0 over his first three starts of 2010, Matusz is 1-11 in his last 18 outings. The left-hander has gone 0-2 with a 12.46 ERA in his last four games.
On Thursday, Matusz lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing five runs, two hits and four walks but managing to walk away with a no-decision in Baltimore's 6-5 win at Kansas City.
Matusz still is searching for his first home victory this year as he is 0-7 with a 5.55 ERA in 10 starts at Camden Yards. The 23-year-old will be facing the Angels for the second time in his career, having surrendered five runs - four earned - in 5 2/3 innings in a loss on Aug. 15, 2009.
The Orioles are not the only team struggling these days. Los Angeles has lost six of eight and nine of 12 overall but also has found winning on the road difficult, going 3-12 in its last 15 away from home.
The Angels are hoping Ervin Santana can help them to just their second win in seven road games. The right-hander has won four of his last six decisions and each of his last two outings - both against the American League West-leading Texas Rangers.
Santana was fortunate to notch the win on Friday after allowing seven runs - four earned - and 10 hits over six innings in Los Angeles' 9-7 home victory.
On the road this season, the 27-year-old is 5-4 with a 2.73 ERA. In nine career starts against Baltimore, Santana owns a 3-3 record and 4.81 ERA.
Santana has had trouble with several Orioles, including Nick Markakis, who is 9-for-24 (.375) vs. the six-year veteran with three home runs and 10 RBIs. Brian Roberts is hitting .370 (10-for-27) with a pair of solo homers, while Julio Lugo is 7-for-16 (.438) with two RBIs.