Orioles need a win today to avoid four-game sweep

OAKLAND - The Orioles are trying today to avoid their first four-game sweep in Oakland since August 2004.

The Athletics rotation for that series consisted of Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Rich Harden and Barry Zito. It's not quite the same level of talent this week, but the Orioles are allowing the A's do to a nice impression.

The Orioles' losing pitchers in that 2004 series were Buddy Groom, Sidney Ponson, B.J. Ryan and Daniel Cabrera. The pitching this week can't be faulted. It's an offense that's produced three runs in 27 innings, none last night against Ross Detwiler and John Axford.

The Orioles have lost three in a row, five of seven and 10 of 15 to relinquish their hold on first place in the American League East.

The all-time series with the A's is tied 260-260. Maybe we should skip today's game and let Reggie Jackson and Boog Powell participate in a Home Run Derby to decide the winner.

Then again, it might mess up their swings.

Chris Tillman is 0-2 with a no-decision since allowing one run over seven innings in four consecutive starts. His 15th victory has been elusive.

It will be impossible if the Orioles don't score.

Tillman faced the A's on May 8 and allowed three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings in an 11-3 win. He's 3-0 with a 2.58 ERA in six career starts against them and 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA in three starts at Oakland Coliseum, where the carpet leading from the clubhouse entrance to the dugout always is soaked in water for unknown reasons.

Maybe it's from the Orioles swinging wet newspapers in this series.

The current A's are 13-for-62 (.210) against Tillman. Danny Valencia is 5-for-13 with a double and home run and Billy Butler is 4-for-19 with a double and home run.

The A's are trotting out rookie Andrew Triggs, the former Orioles farmhand who posted a 1.03 ERA and 0.869 WHIP in 61 innings at Double-A Bowie last year, but was deemed expendable in spring training.

Triggs is making his second major league start. He allowed one run and three hits in three innings against the Angels on June 18. He also replaced an injured Rich Hill in the first inning of a July 17 game against the Blue Jays, pitched one inning and was nailed on the shin by a comebacker.

Maybe the Orioles can solve him. Maybe a few of them received A's in ... wait for it ... Triggonometry.

Triggs has registered a 5.35 ERA in 19 games this season, allowing 22 runs (20 earned) and 41 hits in 33 2/3 innings. Left-handers are hitting .298 against him and right-handers are hitting .296. He's got a 3.07 ERA in nine home games and a 7.11 ERA in 10 road games.

The 7.11 would be a convenience if this game were played at Camden Yards.

(I literally will be here in the Bay Area all week)

Triggs not only worked a perfect inning against the Orioles on May 7, he struck out the side - Pedro Alvarez, Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop. Steve Pearce is the only other player to face him, going 0-for-1, but he may not be available today.