Baltimore @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( May 3, 2013 ) Baltimore 0, LA Angels 4

Freddy Garcia’s first appearance as a member of the Baltimore Orioles comes against a team he has dominated throughout his career. Garcia will be promoted from the minors Saturday to pitch against the host Los Angeles Angels in the third contest of a four-game series. Garcia is 16-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 28 career starts against the Angels. He is 8-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 16 games at Angel Stadium.

Los Angeles outfielder Mike Trout homered and had three RBIs as the Angels posted a 4-0 victory Friday to even the four-game series at one win apiece. Trout has homered twice in three games after hitting two in the first 27 contests. Meanwhile, Josh Hamilton’s homerless streak extended to 17 games. Baltimore had only three hits as Jason Vargas pitched his fourth career shutout. The Orioles suffered a potentially serious blow when first baseman Chris Davis left in the fifth inning with a right knee injury. Davis, the American League Player of the Month for April, is expected to undergo an MRI exam to determine the severity. Baltimore is 5-4 with two games left on an 11-game West Coast road trip.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Freddy Garcia (NR) vs. Angels RH Tommy Hanson (2-1, 3.91)

Garcia went 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Norfolk before being tabbed for this start. He struck out 21 and walked two in 33 2/3 innings. Garcia went 7-6 with a 5.20 ERA in 30 appearances (17 starts) for the New York Yankees last season. He was released in spring training by the San Diego Padres and agreed to pitch in the minors for the Orioles while waiting for a major-league opportunity.

Hanson pitched six solid innings in his last outing in the 19-inning affair in which the Angels lost to Oakland. He gave up two runs, five hits struck out six in his first start in 10 days because of a stint on the bereavement list. Hanson has pitched six innings in three of his four outings. He went 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts against Baltimore when he was with the Atlanta Braves but walked 11 in 11 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles activated 3B Alberto Callaspo prior to Friday’s game and he went 0-for-2 with a walk and scored a run.

2. Baltimore 3B Manny Machado has his 11-game hitting streak halted Friday.

3. Angels OF Josh Hamilton is 4-for-12 with three solo homers against Garcia.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Angels 3