Matusz and O's fall 5-1 to Los Angeles
It was an inning where the LA Angels, one of the Major League's best hitting clubs, put together three singles, three walks and an error and turned that into five runs.
The five-run third vs. Brian Matusz carried LA to a 5-1 win over the Orioles, in front of 28,770 at Camden Yards on Saturday night.
Matusz pitched out of trouble in other innings, but in that third, with one out, a single and two walks loaded the bases and the Angels went on to score five times.
Matusz falls to 1-2, 6.75. ...
Not tonight - One night after producing 12 extra-base hits and 19 hits in a 16-6 romp over the Angels, the O's were held to one run on nine hits. They went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position after going 11 for 22 Friday.
The O's have scored three runs or less in six of seven and eight of the last ten games. They have done that in 15 of 28 games in the second-half and are 1-14 in those contests.
Melvin Mora went 3 for 4, it was his 6th three-hit game of the year. He is 9 for 18...
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...
RHP Jeremy Guthrie (7-12, 5.43) today makes his 24th start of this season, his 13th at home and the 5th of his career vs. the Angels.
Guthrie has lost four straight decisions. He is 0-4, 6.75 over those last four starts.
Guthrie has been hurt by the long ball this year, allowing an AL-high 27 homers. He has given up at least one homer in 17 starts and eight times has allowed at least two homers in a game.
Guthrie, 2009 season:
First half: 6-8, 5.35 in 18 starts
Second half: 1-4, 5.67 in...
Coming into today's game, the Orioles had hit just three homers in their last nine games and three over the last 81 innings.
When Nick Markakis connected for a two-run homer in the last of the 5th to tie today's game at 6-6, the O's had hit three homers over their last three innings.
Today's longballs:
Brian Roberts, his 10th, a two-run shot in the 3rd off O'Sullivan
Luke Scott, his 20th, a solo shot in the 4th off O'Sullivan
Nick Markakis, his 14th, a two-run shot in the 5th off...
They lost a lead in the ninth inning, but not the game. The LA Angels scored nine runs on eight hits off Brian Bass and Matt Albers in the top of 13th to post a somewhat rare, extra-inning rout, 17-8.
Torri Hunter's RBI single made it 9-8, then Erick Aybar's two-run single gave LA a three-run lead. Later, Juan Rivera capped the inning with a three-run homer.
It was the O's longest game of the year by innings and time.
Down 8-6 after seven, the O's tied the game. Matt Wieters'...
Not his year - O's starter Jeremy Guthrie struggled again. He gave up ten hits and seven runs (all earned) over 5 2/3 innings. Guthrie's ERA is now 5.66.
It was his most earned runs allowed since he also gave up seven on 8-29-08 vs. Tampa. Over his last five starts, he is 0-4, 7.55.
Over his last two starts, Guthrie has given up 12ER and 21 hits over 10 1/3 for an ERA of 10.45. He leads the American League with 28 homers allowed.
Guthrie has allowed five runs or more 10 times this...
Game Preview
LA Angels (70-45) at Orioles (48-69)
After giving up nine runs in the 13th inning to lose on Sunday afternoon, the Orioles host the LA Angels tonight at 7:05 p.m. needing a win to even the four-game series at two wins each.
RHP David Hernandez (4-4, 3.81) will make the start for the Orioles and RHP Ervin Santana (5-6, 6.38) takes the mound for Los Angeles.
After the Orioles 16-6 romp over the Angels on Friday, LA has come back to win the last two games of the series.
The Angels...
The Orioles have a contract offer back on the table, should second-round draft pick Mychal Givens accept it before tonight's midnight deadline to sign draft picks.
But O's scouting director Joe Jordan does not expect that to happen.
"I'm not very optimistic. Both sides are pretty set where they are. I don't have any reason to think that will change. The final decision is up to them now."
With the official signings today of 11th-round pick, catcher Micheal Ohlman from Bradenton,...
Here are some comments from O's team president Andy MacPhail on the Aubrey Huff trade.
"This has more to do with the status that he is going to be a free agent in six weeks. There are a couple of benefits to this including sending the player to a first-place team.
"From a self-interest standpoint, this is probably a time when you can get a prospect from a club because a game or two might make all the difference to them. The Tigers have plenty of good arms, relievers that are...
RHP David Hernandez (4-4, 3.81) tonight makes his 11th start of this season, his 5th at home and his 2nd this year vs. Los Angeles.
He is coming off of a win on Tuesday vs. Oakland. He gave up six hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings, throwing 106 pitches.
Over his last six starts, Hernandez is 2-2, 3.55.
He has recorded five quality starts on the year and all five have come over his last seven starts. In four home starts, Hernandez is 2-2, 3.22.
Right-handed batters are hitting .287 off...