O's game blog: Going for a sweep in Toronto

TORONTO - Considering that the Orioles went 0-10 at Rogers Centre last year, this weekend has been pretty solid for the team. They've posted wins by 4-1 and 8-1 over the Blue Jays and today can sweep this three-game series.

It's the last game before the All-Star break for the Orioles (27-61), who are 5-3 the last eight games. A win today would give Baltimore a four-game win streak to match a season high. The team won four in a row after an opening day loss in New York to go 4-1 to start the year. That was the club's one and only four-game win streak in 2019.

The Orioles won their first two road series of this year in New York and in Toronto. Then they split four in Boston in their next road series before losing 11 consecutive road series, a streak that has ended this weekend as the Orioles took the first two games.

O's pitching has shut down what was a hot-hitting Toronto club when this series began. The Blue Jays (33-57) had averaged 6.4 runs per game the previous 22 games and had scored five or more in 14 of the 15 previous games. Then this weekend, O's pitchers have held Toronto to two runs on seven hits and 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Over the last eight games, O's starting pitchers are 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA. Over the last three games the trio of John Means, Dylan Bundy and Andrew Cashner has thrown 20 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs for a 1.74 ERA.

Today the Orioles look for their fourth straight quality start. They have just 23 all year and haven't had a good run like this since they put up five straight quality starts June 5-9.

Right-hander Asher Wojciechowski (0-1, 6.75 ERA) will make his second O's start today. On Tuesday at Tampa Bay he gave up five hits and four runs over 5 1/3 innings. The Orioles acquired him last Monday from Cleveland for cash considerations. At Triple-A Columbus this year, he went 8-2 with a 3.61 ERA. Over 84 2/3 innings he walked 31 and fanned 82, posting a .217 average against and 1.16 WHIP.

Over his past four Triple-A starts leading into the Tampa Bay game, he had a 1.35 ERA with seven walks and 27 strikeouts over 26 2/3 innings. In his last two starts he allowed one run over 13 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Trent Thornton (2-6, 5.18 ERA) will start for Toronto. In 18 starts he has a 1.545 WHIP, and has allowed 9.7 hits per nine innings, including 1.4 homers with 4.2 walks and 9.3 strikeouts. Over his past two starts, Thornton has allowed 18 hits and 12 runs in six innings. In eight home starts, he is 0-4 with a 7.75 ERA while he is 2-2 with a 3.60 ERA in 10 starts on the road. He allows 2.7 homers per nine at home and 0.6 away from Rogers Centre.