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Indians-Orioles Preview

May 14, 2010 - 2:04 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Cleveland (13-18) at Baltimore (10-24), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Coming off their first winning series in almost two weeks, the Baltimore Orioles are feeling confident.

The Orioles look to match a season high with their third straight victory in the opener of a home series with the Cleveland Indians on Friday night.

One day after snapping a three-game skid with a 5-2 win over Seattle, Baltimore (11-24) rallied for a 6-5 win on Thursday for their first series victory since sweeping Boston from April 30-May 2.

Luke Scott's grand slam highlighted a five-run eighth inning, and Corey Patterson threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth for the final out.

The Orioles, who started 1-11, are still last in the AL East but have won five of six at Camden Yards.

"We need things like this to happen," Scott told the Orioles' official website. "I've never seen a team go through what we've gone through the first part of the season, it's been really tough for us."

Though Scott is hitting .213, he's 6 for 15 with three home runs in his last four games.

"When he gets hot, he'll help carry the team," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said of Scott, who's 8 for 16 with a homer in his last four games against Cleveland.

Patterson is 3 for 9 with a home run in two games since being called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

"It's been a little bit whirlwind, but it's all worth it," said the 30-year-old Patterson, who's on his second stint with the Orioles. "I'm glad to come in and help these guys win some games."

Jeremy Guthrie (1-4, 4.67 ERA) tries for his second straight win when he takes the ball for Baltimore. The right-hander allowed three runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 7-3 win at Minnesota on Saturday to snap his eight-game losing streak.

"Certainly (it's a relief)," Guthrie said. "I strive to go out there and help our team win each time."

In Guthrie's only start versus his former team, the right-hander allowed a run in seven innings of a 6-1 victory on Aug. 13, 2008. He pitched for Cleveland from 2004-06.

The Indians (13-19) had their third-game winning streak snapped with a 6-4 loss at Kansas City on Thursday. Asdrubal Cabrera had three hits including his sixth home run, but Cleveland couldn't hold an early 3-0 lead against reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke.

"We'll take the series, but we'll move on," manager Manny Acta told the Indians' official website.

Cabrera is 5 for 9 in his last two games since going 0 for 13 in his previous three. He's a lifetime .421 hitter with 14 RBIs in 15 games against Baltimore.

Cleveland's Justin Masterson (0-3, 5.23) tries a seventh time to win his first game of the year.

The right-hander allowed three runs and struck out eight in six innings, but didn't factor in the decision of a 6-4 loss to Detroit on Saturday.

Masterson is 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA as a starter versus Baltimore.

The Indians went 5-2 against the Orioles in 2009, splitting four games in Baltimore.