Los Angeles @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2010 ) LA Angels 7, Baltimore 9

The Baltimore Orioles appear to be a different team under Buck Showalter. The Los Angeles Angels look like the same struggling team on the road.

The Orioles attempt to complete a series sweep Thursday night as they host the Angels in the finale of their three-game set at Camden Yards.

After winning Showalter's managerial debut with the club on Tuesday, Baltimore clinched just its fifth series win of 2010 with a 9-7 triumph on Wednesday. Of its four previous series victories, three were sweeps, including a four-game set at Texas from July 8-11.

The Orioles jumped out to a 9-1 lead Wednesday before holding on for a 9-7 win. Felix Pie went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Adam Jones collected three hits and scored three runs and Ty Wigginton and Luke Scott each went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.

Brian Matusz posted just his second win in 19 starts and first victory at home this season in 11 tries, allowing one run and seven hits over six innings.

Scott belted his 20th home run of the year, becoming the first Oriole to go deep in three straight games since Pie from Aug. 28-Sept. 1. Scott homered in four consecutive contests from May 27-30 last season.

In the two games with Showalter at the helm, Baltimore has gone 11-for-23 with runners in scoring position following a 4-for-35 stretch in its previous five contests.

Getting the opportunity to complete the sweep is Jake Arrieta (3-3), who is seeking his first win since July 11.

Arrieta is 1-3 in his last eight starts. The 24-year old surrendered three runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings Friday, receiving a no-decision in a 7-5 loss at Kansas City.

In five home outings this year, Arrieta is 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA.

Arrieta will be making his first career appearance against the Angels, who have lost seven of their last nine games and 10 of 13. They fell to 1-6 over their last seven road contests and 3-13 in the last 16 as Ervin Santana was battered for nine runs and 12 hits in just 3 2/3 innings on Wednesday.

Dan Haren (7-10) takes the mound Thursday in search of his first win with Los Angeles since being acquired from Arizona on July 25, and his first victory of any kind since June 12.

The right-hander is 0-2 as an Angel despite allowing only two runs in each start. Haren tossed his 11th complete game on Saturday, yielding just five hits in a 2-1 loss to Texas.

Haren, who is 0-6 with a 4.12 ERA in his last nine outings, will be making his first road start for the Angels. He went 2-4 with a 4.86 ERA for the Diamondbacks in 10 games away from Arizona.