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Mariners-Orioles Preview

Jun 10, 2009 - 4:08 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Seattle (28-29) at Baltimore (24-33), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Baltimore Orioles have seen some excellent starting pitching at home recently. They're hoping the next hurler to dominate at Camden Yards isn't Seattle's Felix Hernandez.

Baltimore tries to clinch a sixth home series win of the season Wednesday when it continues a three-game set with the Hernandez and Mariners.

The last-place Orioles (25-33) snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-1 win Tuesday. Rookie Brad Bergesen pitched eight scoreless innings, and Nolan Reimold homered and drove in another run.

Umpires used instant replay for the first time in Baltimore on a drive by Melvin Mora initially ruled a home run. Seattle left fielder Endy Chavez had jumped to make the catch, but a fan got to the ball first and the call was overturned.

"He could have called it either way. Especially when we play at home," Mora said. "I know it had a chance to be a home run but they said it was an out."

The game was Baltimore's first at home following a six-game road trip, which began with a win in Seattle on June 1 followed by the losing streak. The Orioles are 8-20 on the road, but have won six of their last eight at home thanks to some excellent pitching.

Starters are 5-1 with a 2.88 ERA at Camden Yards in their last eight home games, going six or more innings six times.

The Orioles may need another good performance from Jeremy Guthrie given how Hernandez has been pitching lately. He has given up two earned runs in his last three starts while striking out 23 and only issuing five walks.

Hernandez (5-3, 3.22 ERA) allowed one run and six hits over seven innings of a 2-1, 10-inning loss to Minnesota on Friday.

"He pitched great," Mike Sweeney told the Mariners' official Web site. "It breaks my heart. When he's that good for seven innings, we have to win games."

Hernandez is 3-3 with a 4.23 ERA in nine starts against the Orioles. He's 0-1 in his last three outings against them, but has posted a 1.80 ERA over 20 innings pitched.

Tuesday's loss was only the second in six games for Seattle (28-30), but it was the fourth time during that stretch in which it was held to three or fewer runs. Jose Lopez broke up the shutout with an RBI single off former Mariner George Sherrill as Seattle fell to 4-4 in its last eight games, averaging 3.4 runs.

"Obviously, offensively, until the last inning, we really didn't put anything together," first-year manager Don Wakamatsu said.

Ichiro Suzuki had two hits to improve to .375 (6 for 16) against the Orioles this season. The right fielder has a 13-game hitting streak against Baltimore, during which he's batting .321 (17 for 53).

Seattle may have better luck against Guthrie (4-5, 5.61), who should be well-rested after failing to make it out of the first inning Friday in a 9-1 loss at Oakland. The right-hander gave up six runs and seven hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Guthrie is 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA against the Mariners (28-30). Ichiro is 5 for 17 (.294) when facing him.