O's game blog: A rematch with the Angels as homestand begins

As the Orioles begin a six-game homestand tonight, they do so with a rematch against the Los Angeles Angels. The Orioles took two of three last week at Anaheim. The Angels have been one of baseball's hottest teams, and after they lost that series to the Orioles, they took three of four from the American League Central-leading Tigers by winning the last three games and allowing just two runs. Even though the Angels are second in the AL in runs, the O's held them to seven runs in that series and pitched to an ERA of 2.08 in three games in Anaheim. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols went a combined 4-for-22 in the three games. Los Angeles is 63-41 and has won six of its last seven series, losing only to the Orioles. The Angels have won 16 of their last 21 games and are 25-8 since June 19. Tonight, it's a rematch of last Wednesday when the Angels rallied for a 3-2 win. Chris Tillman (7-5, 3.92 ERA) faces right-hander Jered Weaver (11-6, 3.36 ERA). Tillman has eight quality starts over his last nine games, allowing three earned runs or less each time. He is 2-3 with a 2.40 ERA in those nine outings. In three career games against the Angels, he is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA. Last Wednesday, Tillman gave up one run and five hits over six innings while Weaver went eight innings and allowed six hits and two runs. The Angels are 7-0 in Weaver's last seven starts. Nick Markakis now needs seven hits for 1,500 and is sitting at 1,493, which is sixth on the Orioles' all-time hits list. Also, Markakis now has 10 outfield assists. His career high is 17 in 2008. That is the second-best by an Oriole in one season behind Joe Orsulak, who had 22 in 1991. The Orioles have 26 outfield assists as a team to rank second in the AL behind Oakland's 28 and fourth in the majors. Arizona has 31 while the New York Mets have 27. With a win tonight, the Orioles would go a season-high 13 games over the .500 mark. They were last 13 over last Aug. 11 at 65-52.