Tonight's pitchers: Berken vs. Sowers

RHP Jason Berken (5-12, 6.41) tonight makes his 23rd start of the year, his 10th on the road and his 2nd vs. Cleveland. After a five-start stretch where Berken went 3-0, 4.23, the right hander took the loss Sunday vs. Boston. In three innings, he allowed ten hits and six runs. Right-handed hitters are batting .312 against him and lefties hit .337. The O's are 6-16 when Berken starts, but are 3-3 over the last six games. Berken, 2009 season: First half: 1-6, 5.87, 9 starts Second half: 4-6, 6.78, 13 starts Berken has allowed 28 of his 77 runs in the first inning of his starts and opponents bat .376 vs. him in that opening inning. In nine road starts this year, he is 2-5, 7.35. Berken is 1-0, 3.60 in one career start vs. the Indians. On August 28th at Baltimore, he pitched five innings and gave up five hits and two runs. He threw 97 pitches. LHP Jeremy Sowers (6-10, 4.92) tonight makes his 21st start, his 11th at home and the 7th of his career vs. the Orioles. The 26-year-old is coming off a poor outing Saturday at Oakland. In one inning plus he allowed nine hits and six runs. In the previous start, he pitched seven scoreless innings vs. Minnesota. Over his last ten starts, he is 4-3, 4.06. Sowers was optioned to the minor leagues back in July and went 2-2, 2.89 in six starts with Triple-A Columbus. The Indians are 7-13 when Sowers starts. In ten home starts, he is 3-5, 4.28. Sowers vs. Orioles: 2009: 0-0, 3.86, one start (4 2/3IP, 6H, 2R-ER Aug 29) Career: 1-2, 6.46 in six starts (30 2/3IP, 34H)