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Jun 7, 2009 - 6:24 AM By DAN PIERINGER STATS Writer

Baltimore (24-32) at Oakland (24-30), 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Baltimore Orioles can't explain why they've played so poorly on Sundays. While trying to buck that disturbing trend, they probably won't find much comfort in that they can't play much worse than they have recently.

The Orioles look to avoid another Sunday defeat and their seventh loss in eight games overall as they visit the Oakland Athletics, who hope to complete a three-game sweep with their season-high sixth straight win.

Since winning its first Sunday game last season, Baltimore (24-32) has lost 28 of 32 on that day, including seven of eight this year.

The Orioles have been outscored 45-27 on Sundays in 2009, including a 3-0 loss to Detroit last week. Baltimore had only four baserunners in that game as it fell to 3-15 in series finales this year.

Baltimore's struggles, however, haven't been limited to Sundays lately. The Orioles have totaled 13 runs while dropping six of their last seven. They recorded their highest run total during that stretch Saturday but couldn't overcome a nine-run deficit in the 9-4 defeat.

"We're just going through it right now," outfielder Adam Jones told the Orioles' official Web site. "The hits came a little too late, but it shows our offense is coming back to life."

Manager Dave Trembley was also encouraged after his club totaled 10 hits for the second time in three games.

"We got 10 hits," he said. "I don't care who is in the lineup, we have some good hitters."

Apparently so do the Athletics (24-30), who have outscored opponents 35-8 during a streak that has given them their first back-to-back series wins of 2009. They matched a franchise record with eight doubles on Saturday.

"That's nice, because it means they're hitting line drives," said manager Bob Geren, whose club hasn't won six in a row since Aug. 11-16, 2006. "Guys are hustling out of the box."

The sudden success at the plate is a welcome change for an Oakland club that totaled 14 runs while dropping five of six before its current streak.

"About time, that's what I'm thinking," leadoff hitter Orlando Cabrera said.

The Athletics will try to extend their run against Rich Hill (2-0, 4.15 ERA). Baltimore is 4-0 in games started by the left-hander, who held Seattle to two hits while striking out seven in a season-high seven innings Monday. Hill retired the last 14 batters he faced to outduel Jarrod Washburn in the 1-0 victory.

"Boy, oh boy, I don't know we'll see a better pitched game than that," Trembley said. "That's tremendous."

The Athletics were similarly impressed by the major league debut of Vin Mazzaro (1-0, 0.00). The right-hander held the Chicago White Sox to three hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-0 win Tuesday.

"He has movement and velocity," Geren said. "Throwing 94 with movement, you can't touch that."

Athletics first baseman Jason Giambi was pulled from Saturday's game after his left calf tightened up in the fifth inning. He's day to day.

Orioles outfielder Felix Pie could be out longer. He left the game after getting hit in the throat by a foul ball off his own bat. He was taken to the hospital for a CT scan and the club didn't have any further update immediately.