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Nationals-Orioles Preview

Jun 27, 2009 - 4:19 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Washington (21-49) at Baltimore (32-40), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Baltimore Orioles found a good way to re-energize their lineup - getting away from Miami.

After one of their best hitting performances of the season, the Baltimore Orioles will look to build off that as they continue a three-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals on Saturday night.

The Orioles scored 11 runs while getting swept in Florida but matched that total in Friday night's opener. In an 11-1 win, Baltimore (33-40) had 16 hits - two shy of its season high - and fell one run short of matching another season high.

Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Nolan Reimold each had three hits while six players finished with at least two. Melvin Mora matched a season high by driving in four runs, including three during an eight-run sixth inning, and Aubrey Huff added three RBIs.

Before batting .239 during its three losses in Miami, Baltimore had hit .329 in winning seven of its previous eight. The Orioles, who have batted .355 in their eight wins since June 13, also improved their major league-leading home batting average to .304.

Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie (5-7, 5.09) will look to benefit from that resurgent offense, earn victories in consecutive starts for the second time this season and his first win over the Nationals.

Guthrie has received three runs of support in four career starts against Washington, going 0-1 with a 1.29 ERA.

After losses in three consecutive outings, Guthrie allowed one run over seven innings in Sunday's 2-1 win in Philadelphia. Before that start, the right-hander was 2-7 with a 5.99 ERA in his previous 12 outings.

"It was a good outing, but I felt very strong the last couple outings as well," Guthrie told the Orioles' official Web site. "Hopefully, things are going in the right direction."

After a stellar performance during a season high four-game win streak, Washington pitchers have struggled while their team has dropped four of its last five. The Nationals (21-50) posted a 1.32 ERA during the streak but have a 7.77 ERA during their recent slump.

The worst team in the majors also had its 17th multiple-error game and has committed a major league-worst 68 miscues.

"They beat us in every way - pitching, hitting and defense," Washington manager Manny Acta said.

Right-hander Shairon Martis (5-2, 5.13 ERA) will try to turn that around and earn his first victory since May 13. After going 5-0 in his first seven starts, Martis is 0-2 in the last seven.

He suffered one of those losses Sunday against visiting Toronto by giving up six runs over five innings in a 9-4 defeat. Martis has allowed five runs or more in four of his last seven outings and gave up five over six innings at home against Baltimore on May 24.

He was saved from the loss thanks to the Nationals' 8-5 comeback win.

Josh Bard was the only Washington player with two hits Friday and is 10 for 16 (.625) in the last six games. He has batted .400 (18 for 45) in 16 games this month.

The teams have split 22 games since 2006.