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Orioles-Rays Preview

Oct 1, 2009 - 3:19 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Baltimore (60-97) at Tampa Bay (81-76), 7:08 p.m. EDT

The Baltimore Orioles' two-week slide isn't helping their chances of ending another dismal season on a positive note.

The reeling Orioles look to avoid a 14th straight loss in their final road game of the year Thursday night against Tampa Bay.

A defeat in this contest would conclude a winless 10-game road trip and tie the second-longest skid in franchise history set in August 1954. The Orioles' longest losing streak is a season-opening 21-game slide in 1988 - the last time the club lost 100 games.

"I think (the) guys, like everybody else is pretty sick and tired of it," said Orioles manager Dave Trembley, who's club is averaging 3.0 runs while posting a 6.28 ERA during the losing stretch.

Ty Wigginton's two-run homer was one of the few bright spots a 5-3 loss Wednesday. Baltimore (60-98), an AL-worst 24-56 on the road, is 7-10 against Tampa Bay this season and lost four in a row against the Rays.

"The best thing to do is come out here (Thursday), don't look at the scoreboard and just play your hardest," left fielder Luke Scott said.

Ben Zobrist, meanwhile, hit a three-run homer to lead the Rays (82-76) to their fourth straight victory.

While Tampa Bay won't have a chance to defend its AL pennant, it's won 10 of 15 and will finish with a winning record after doing so for the first time in club history last year.

"I don't think it ever goes back to being as bad as it was," said All-Star left fielder Carl Crawford, who homered for the Rays. "The organization is definitely headed in the right direction."

Zobrist continued the best season of his career with his 26th homer and second in three games. He has 11 RBIs in his last six games and is batting .400 with six home runs and 17 RBIs against Baltimore this season.

Matt Garza (8-11, 3.93 ERA) hopes to conclude a disappointing season on a positive note when he takes the ball for Tampa Bay.

That could happen against the Orioles, a team Garza's 6-0 against with a 2.70 ERA in seven career starts.

The right-hander, though, hopes to bounce back after giving up seven runs with six hits and three walks in 4 2-3 innings of a 15-3 loss at Texas on Saturday. That dropped him to 1-4 with a 4.41 ERA in his last 11 starts.

Nick Markakis, who's 3 for 20 against Garza, went 0 for 4 Wednesday and is batting .129 in his last 17 contests for Baltimore.

The Orioles could be without Scott after he left with a strained muscle in his left foot. He's 10 for 24 with four RBIs in his last six games.

After deciding to shut down rookie Chris Tillman, Chris Waters (0-0, 8.10) will make his first start of the season for Baltimore. The left-hander, who's made four appearances this year, was 3-5 with a 5.01 ERA in 11 starts for the club last season.

In his only career start against the Rays, Waters allowed five runs and eight hits with four walks in 4 1-3 innings, but didn't receive a decision in a 10-9 loss on Aug. 30, 2008.

Waters went 9-7 with a 4.49 ERA for Triple-A Norfolk this season.