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Jul 11, 2009 - 4:24 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Toronto (43-44) at Baltimore (38-47), 7:05 p.m. EDT

It's been more than two weeks since the Toronto Blue Jays have won consecutive games. With Ricky Romero pitching, they have to like their chances to end that drought.

The red-hot rookie will try to close out a stellar first half Saturday night by winning his fifth straight start as the Blue Jays continue their three-game road series against the Baltimore Orioles.

Before a 2-0 victory Friday, Toronto (44-44) had won only three of its previous 14 - each time with Romero (7-3, 2.96 ERA) on the mound.

"I've actually enjoyed some of the pressure being on me," the left-hander told the team's official Web site. "I've enjoyed the stage - the light being on me. It hasn't bothered me one bit."

In his only meeting against Baltimore on May 26, Romero gave up a season-high five runs and 11 hits over 5 1-3 innings in a 7-2 loss at Camden Yards - his first start after missing five weeks due to a strained right oblique.

Romero allowed all the runs on a season-high three homers allowed as Adam Jones, Aubrey Huff and Nolan Reimold went deep.

Since then, the 24-year-old has moved within one victory of tying Detroit's Rick Porcello and Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann for the major league wins lead among rookies. He also tied a franchise rookie record with 24 consecutive shutout innings Monday at Yankee Stadium until he gave up a solo home run to former Blue Jay Eric Hinske.

Romero was charged with three runs over 6 1-3 innings as Toronto held on for a 7-6 win.

"He just keeps getting better all the time," manager Cito Gaston said. "He's growing up out there every time he goes out there."

The Blue Jays broke a three-game slide and a three-game skid in Baltimore on Friday despite recording six hits and scoring two runs for the second straight game. Toronto is batting .237 over its last 15 games.

Scott Rolen went 0 for 4 to end a career-high 25-game hit streak and drop to 2 for 20 (.100) against Baltimore this season.

The Orioles' Luke Scott, meanwhile, is batting .400 (8 for 20) versus Toronto after recording two hits Friday, and will try to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games.

With Jeremy Guthrie suffering from a viral infection, Baltimore (38-48) is expected to push back Brad Bergesen's start and turn to left-hander Rich Hill on Saturday.

The Orioles were hoping to let Hill (3-2, 7.43) skip his final start before the All-Star break so they could evaluate him because he is 0-1 with a 13.15 ERA in his last three outings. He allowed six runs over 5 1-3 innings in Sunday's 9-6 loss to the host Los Angeles Angels.

"I made some bad 0-2 and 1-2 pitches and gave up some hits. That shouldn't happen," Hill said.

He also gave up six earned runs over 3 1-3 innings May 27 before the Orioles rallied for a 12-10 win over the visiting Blue Jays.

Baltimore will again be without manager Dave Trembley, who is finishing a two-game suspension for his actions following an ejection Tuesday in Seattle.