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Orioles-Yankees Preview

Jul 22, 2009 - 4:43 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Baltimore (41-51) at New York (55-37), 1:05 p.m. EDT

Although he hasn't always been at his best when facing the Baltimore Orioles, A.J. Burnett has usually pitched well enough to beat them.

He'll try to continue his winning ways against Baltimore and win a fourth straight decision overall Wednesday when the first-place New York Yankees seek their 10th straight home win over the Orioles.

Burnett (8-4, 3.81 ERA) is 8-1 with a 4.83 ERA in 10 starts against the Orioles (41-52) for his highest winning percentage (88.9) versus any opponent. He made his Yankees debut at Baltimore on April 9 and allowed two runs over 5 1-3 innings to earn a 11-2 victory.

The right-hander has had little trouble against Orioles All-Star center fielder Adam Jones, who is 2 for 14 (.143) with six strikeouts against him, and shortstop Cesar Izturis, who is 1 for 12 (.083).

Burnett is 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA over his last four outings. He surrendered two runs in six innings Friday and did not get a decision in a 5-3 win over Detroit.

New York (56-37) took over sole possession of the AL East lead for the first time since June 8 with a 6-4 victory Tuesday, moving one game ahead of Boston. The Yankees are 5-0 since the All-Star break, and 8-3 against Baltimore this year.

"Yeah, it feels great that there's nobody in front of us but it doesn't mean anything at this point in the year," Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said.

Robinson Cano homered and Alex Rodriguez had a two-run single for New York, which won despite being outhit 9-6. Mariano Rivera recorded his fourth save in the last five days with a perfect ninth inning, and has converted 23 straight chances.

The Yankees are a major league-best 43-22 since Rodriguez came off the disabled list May 8 following hip surgery.

Brian Roberts had three hits for Baltimore, which fell to 1-13 in road games against the AL East this season. Roberts is batting .433 (13 for 30) in his last seven games.

"Certainly it gets frustrating," said Roberts, whose team has lost four of five since the All-Star break. "We want wins."

New York did not start Eric Hinske or Hideki Matsui on Tuesday after both homered in Monday's 2-1 victory. Their left-handed bats could be back in the lineup with the Orioles starting struggling rookie Jason Berken (1-7, 6.44) on Wednesday.

Berken is still searching for his first victory since winning his major league debut against Toronto on May 26. The right-hander has lasted past the fifth inning just once in his last five outings, going 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA in that span.

Berken gave up six runs over 4 1-3 innings Friday in his seventh straight loss, 12-8 to the Chicago White Sox.

"It didn't look like he finished his pitches and his pitches were up," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said.

Berken is making his first start against the Yankees.