Sunday baseball: Angels at Orioles

Game Preview LA Angels (69-45) at Orioles (48-68) The Orioles and Angels each have one win in their four-game series that continues today at 1:35 p.m. at Camden Yards. Jeremy Guthrie (7-12, 5.43) pitches for the Orioles vs. LA's Sean O'Sullivan (3-1, 5.12). The Birds had 12 extra-base hits in Friday's 16-6 win over the Angels, but last night the O's were held to one run in the Angels 5-1 win. One night after going 11 for 22 with runners in scoring position, the Birds were 1 for 9 hitting with RISP. Brian Matusz gave up five runs and 11 hits over 5 2/3 in his third Major League start. He is now 1-2, 7.04. Winning pitcher John Lackey allowed just one run over seven innings and is 8-3, 3.16 in 12 career starts vs. Baltimore. The O's have lost five of seven, seven of ten and 18 of the last 25 games. They are 8-20 since the All-Star game. The O's inconsistent offense went back to its recent struggling ways on Saturday night. The Birds have now scored three runs or less in six of seven, eight of ten and 15 of 28 games in the second half. The Orioles are 1-14 in those games. This homestand has two games remaining. The Birds are 2-3 on the stand and 30-29 at home on the season. They are on pace for 42 home wins, which would be their most since 2000 (44-37). The O's have started rookie pitchers in 65 of 116 games on the season and they are 26-39 in those games. Nick Markakis takes an eight-game batting streak into today's game. He is hitting .371 (13 for 35) with five doubles and 4 RBI in that stretch. Melvin Mora is 9 for 18 over his last five games. Brian Roberts is 10 for 23 during a five-game batting streak with six doubles and 3 RBI. Roberts, the AL leader with 44 doubles, has six over his last four games and 16 in the last 27 contests. The O's are just 2-6 on the year, 1-3 at home, vs. the Angels. Los Angeles, looking for its 5th AL West title in the last six years, is leading the division by 4 ½ games over Texas. LA is now a season-high 24 games over .500 and is 18-6 in its last 24 road games. The Angels are 20-8 since the All-Star break. LAA hitters, 2009 vs. Orioles: Bobby Abreu: 10-30/3/9 Erick Aybar: 4-22/0/1 Chone Figgins: 11-31/0/3 Vladimir Guerrero: 7-23/2/8 Maicer Izturis: 11-26/0/2 Howie Kendrick: 5-22/1/3 Jeff Mathis: 4-13/0/0 Gary Matthews Jr.: 2-11/0/1 Kendry Morales: 10-28/2/7 Mike Napoli: 5-16/0/1 Robb Quinlan: 2-3/0/1 Juan Rivera: 11-30/0/5 Reggie Willits: 0-0