O's and Twins are rained out; Set to play 5:05pm doubleheader Saturday
Tonight's scheduled game between the Orioles and Twins at Camden Yards has been rained out. This game will be made up as part of a straight doubleheader on Saturday with the games beginning at 5:05 p.m.
Saturday's game one starters are Daniel Cabrera (8-9, 5.26) for Baltimore and RH Scott Baker (8-4, 3.66) for the Twins. For game two, Garrett Olson (9-7, 6.43) will pitch for the O's and LH Glen Perkins (12-4, 4.11) for the Twins.
Steve Melewski's Live GameBlog From Camden Yards (prior to the rainout)
Starting Lineups
Twins
RF Denard Span
2B Alexi Casilla
C Joe Mauer
1B Justin Morneau
DH Jason Kubel
LF Delmon Young
3B Brian Buscher
SS Nick Punto
CF Carlos Gomez
P Scott Baker
Orioles
2B Brian Roberts
CF Adam Jones
RF Nick Markakis
DH Aubrey Huff
C Ramon Hernandez
LF Luke Scott
1B Kevin Millar
3B Oscar Salazar
SS Juan Castro
P Daniel Cabrera
Melvin Mora was in the original lineup, but was scratched at about 5:00pm. Earlier Dave Trembley had expressed concern about Mora playing third base in wet weather tonight. Now he is not playing at all.
Trembley's Talk
The skipper admitted during today's pregame session with reporters that Jeremy Guthrie may not pitch again this season.
"It's getting to that point," Trembley said when asked if he's considering shutting Guthrie down for the year. "What's he miss 14 days, about that. He's got to throw bullpens, he's got to get on the mound. Richie (Bancells) said today he feels better. To me, you've got to get on the mound and throw. Guthrie wants to do it, but we may have to make some wise decisions here for the big picture. If there's any question about it, he won't pitch."
Trembley said he is less likely to rest a veteran or key player with a playoff contender in town.
"Montanez got two hits last night, but there's a righty going tonight. You know it's the etiquette of the game, trying to put your best nine guys out there, that's not to say the other guys aren't. We may have some changes on Sunday."
Trembley held a team meeting today, he said, for several reasons.
"There's an obligation when you are playing contending teams to bring your game up to that level and play with energy and a sense of spirit. There are things that need to be reminded here. We've got a lot of new guys in that room. I had to remind them of how we are going to finish this out and what the expectations are. I want to end this thing right. Preparation is important."
Audio: Dave Trembley discusses the O's team meeting
Game Preview
Minnesota (80-66) at Orioles (65-80)
After splitting a four-game series with Cleveland, the Orioles welcome playoff contender Minnesota tonight in game one of a three-game series. The Orioles are 2-4 on this nine-game homestand.
The Birds defeated Cleveland 6-3 Thursday as Melvin Mora had 2 RBI and Nick Markakis two hits and two runs scored. The Birds scored a total of 20 runs in their two wins in the series and two runs in the two losses.
Wins have been rare lately for the O's, who have lost 10 of 12 and 17 of 21 contests. The Orioles are now 2-7 in September. They end the season series with Cleveland with each team winning four games.
The Twins just won 2 of 3 from Kansas City, but lost the series finale 3-2 on Thursday afternoon. Minnesota is beginning a ten-game road trip tonight. The Twins are 31-40 on the road.
The Twins are one game behind Chicago for the AL Central lead and are 5 ½ games back of Boston in the Wild Card chase.
Minnesota is averaging 5.1 runs per game, the 4th best in the Majors. The Twins are hitting a Major League best .312 with runners in scoring position. The Orioles are second at .289.
Minnesota, now 3-6 in September, is 9-19 in games vs. the AL East this season.
The Orioles took 2 of 3 at Minnesota in early June as Radhames Liz and Garrett Olson picked up victories.
Pitching Match-Up
Daniel Cabrera (8-9, 5.26) tonight makes his 30th start of the year, his 14th at home and the second of this season vs. the Twins.
Cabrera got off to a solid start this year and, at one point, recorded eight straight quality starts in April and May, but he has just 5 in 19 starts since.
Cabrera first-half: 6-5, 4.33, 20 starts
Cabrera second-half: 2-4, 7.88, 9 starts
Over his last three starts, Cabrera is 0-2, 12.27 (11IP, 23H, 15ER). He lasted just 3 innings, walking six and took the loss Saturday vs. Oakland.
In 13 home starts, Cabrera is 4-3, 6.38. The Orioles are 15-14 when he starts this season. He has struggled in the first inning, giving up 29 runs and a batting average of .390 in the opening frame of his starts.
Cabrera vs. Minnesota:
2008: 0-1, 9.00, one start (June 4th.....6IP, 8H, 6ER)
2007: 0-1, 3.86, one start
Career: 5-3, 3.92, nine starts over 57 1/3 innings
RHP Scott Baker (8-4, 3.66) tonight will make his 25th start of this season, his 15th on the road and his second vs. the Orioles.
Baker has been pitching well and is 1-1, 2.57 over his last four starts. The Twins are 14-10 when he starts.
Baker is tough to hit early in games and gives up an opponent average of just .194 in the first two innings of his starts. In 14 road starts on 2008, Baker is 5-3, 3.92.
Right-handed hitters bat .228 against him, lefties hit .278 and he yields an average of just .226 when pitching with runners in scoring position. Baker, a second-round pick in 2003, has walked just 36 in 148 innings on the year.
Baker vs. Baltimore:
2008: 0-0, 3.60, one start (June 5th.....5IP, 5H, 2R-ER)
2007: 1-0, 3.00, one start
Career: 1-0, 4.30, three starts
O's Hitters, 2008 vs. Minnesota:
Cintron: 1-2
Hernandez: 3-8, 2 2B
Huff: 1-11
Jones: 4-11, HR, 3 RBI
Markakis: 5-12, HR, 3 RBI
Millar: 4-11, 2 HR, 2 RBI
Mora: 2-12, 2 HR, 2 RBI
Payton: 1-4, 2B
Quiroz: 0-4
Roberts: 5-14, 3 2B, 3B, 3 RBI
Scott: 2-8
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