Baltimore @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2010 ) Baltimore 3, San Francisco 6

After beginning their eight-game West Coast road trip with two wins in San Diego, the Baltimore Orioles head north to face the San Francisco Giants on Friday. The Orioles are 1 1/2 games back of the second American League wild-card spot, while the Giants have fallen out of playoff contention with nine losses in their last 14 contests. Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis continues to swing for the fences as he leads the majors with 41 homers and 106 RBIs.

The defending World Series champion Giants snapped a two-game losing skid with a 4-1 triumph over Milwaukee on Thursday, but low morale has become a growing concern. “For whatever reason, we’re not the same team we were last year - even though we have most of the same guys out there,” starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner said. San Francisco’s lead-off hitters have struggled since the All-Star break, but Marco Scutaro provided a spark with three hits from the top spot on Thursday.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MASN-HD (Baltimore), NBC-BA (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (14-3, 3.89 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (2-4, 7.19)

Tillman is looking to bounce back from a shaky outing against Seattle last Friday, when he won his fourth straight contest despite yielding six runs in 5 1/3 innings. He’s 7-1 with a 3.23 ERA and five quality starts in nine road outings this season. The 25-year-old faced the Giants on June 14, 2010, giving up six earned runs over two innings.

Vogelsong is making his first start since breaking his right pinkie on May 20, when he was hit by a pitch. The 36-year-old posted a 1.72 ERA in 15 2/3 innings over four rehab appearances. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t ready,” said Vogelsong, who made a relief appearance against the Orioles in 2005 while pitching for Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco has lost 17 of its last 24 games at home.

2. The Orioles are 12-6 against California teams this season.

3. The Giants activated C Hector Sanchez (shoulder) from the disabled list and designated C Guillermo Quiroz for assignment.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Giants 2