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Orioles-Athletics Preview

Apr 17, 2010 - 6:01 AM By JON PALMIERI STATS Editor

Baltimore (1-9) at Oakland (7-4), 4:05 p.m. EDT

While ending a nearly three-year losing streak in Oakland would be nice, the Baltimore Orioles are in no position to care where their wins come from right now.

The Orioles look to snap an eight-game overall slide as well as an eight-game road skid against the Athletics on Saturday.

While reaching the playoffs was unrealistic, the Orioles (1-10) at least hoped to make strides this year toward ending a run of 12 straight losing seasons. Instead, Baltimore has lost eight straight since its lone win, and is off to its worst start since opening 0-21 in 1988.

A punchless offense was the culprit again in Friday night's 4-2 loss to the Athletics (8-4). Ty Wigginton's two-run homer accounted for all of the Orioles' offense as they were held to two runs or fewer for the sixth time in seven games.

"It's a situation I can't explain or put my finger on," manager Dave Trembley said. "We're a much better ballclub than we've played. I get tired of answering the same questions in a very positive way but that's the way I will be."

The Orioles went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position, dropping to a major league-worst 10 for 78 this season.

Baltimore has been outscored 43-17 during an eight-game losing streak in Oakland, where it hasn't won since July 22, 2007.

There is blame to go around throughout the Orioles' lineup.

Miguel Tejada is 2 for 22 in his last six games while Matt Wieters is hitless in his last 15 at-bats. Nick Markakis had a pair of doubles Friday, but has one RBI this season after leading the team with 101 last year.

Generating offense could be difficult Saturday against Justin Duchscherer (1-0, 3.46 ERA), who looks to build off his first win in nearly two years when he takes the mound for Oakland.

The right-hander, an All-Star in 2005 and '08, sat out last season due to an elbow injury and was later treated for clinical depression.

After struggling in his season debut, Duchscherer was superb in a 4-0 victory at Seattle on Monday. He allowed two hits in 7 1-3 innings while walking two and striking out four en route to his first win since July 8, 2008.

"More than anything, I'm just proud of myself," he said. "It's been a long time since I got a win in a major league baseball game."

Duchscherer is 2-0 with a 2.78 ERA in nine appearances with two starts against Baltimore.

The A's received another well-pitched game Friday as Dallas Braden gave up three hits in seven innings. Oakland's starters are 6-0 with a 2.48 ERA this season.

Probably happy to oppose any pitcher other than Tampa Bay's Matt Garza, Jeremy Guthrie (0-2, 4.05) counters for the Orioles. Although he was effective in each of his first two starts, Guthrie was outpitched each time by Garza.

The right-hander allowed three runs and eight hits over seven innings in a 5-1 loss to the Rays on Monday.

"I've had two starts and been outpitched twice by Matt," Guthrie said. "I deserve to be 0-2, and that's where I am."

Guthrie pitched very well in his first two career starts against the Athletics, but is 0-2 with a 12.27 ERA in the past three meetings.