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Orioles-Nationals Preview

May 23, 2010 - 1:21 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Baltimore (14-29) at Washington (21-22), 1:35 p.m. EDT

Kevin Millwood's first two months with the Baltimore Orioles have been frustrating for both sides, but they each have to feel good about his chances facing the Washington Nationals.

Millwood goes for his career-high 16th win against the Nationals on Sunday when the Orioles try to win their first road series of the year.

A 13-game winner last season with Texas, Millwood (0-4, 3.65 ERA) is still looking for his first win despite five quality starts in nine outings. Much of that is due to a lack of offensive support from his teammates, with the Orioles averaging 2.3 runs with Millwood on the mound, the second-lowest total in the majors.

One positive for the right-hander is that Baltimore (14-30) has won four of his last five starts after losing his first four. Millwood pitched eight innings Tuesday while matched up with Kansas City ace Zack Greinke and gave up three runs and struck out seven in a 4-3, 10-inning victory.

"He's done everything," teammate Luke Scott told the Orioles' official website. "He's been all that and a bag of chips. ... The only reason why he doesn't have four or five wins up there is because we haven't hit for him."

Millwood has a good chance to get that elusive first win Sunday. His 15 victories against the Washington franchise are his most against any opponent with most of that success coming during his time with Atlanta and Philadelphia.

He'll try to help Baltimore bounce back after blowing a three-run lead in a 7-6 loss to Washington (22-22) on Saturday.

Washington scored four runs in the sixth inning, as Adam Dunn capped the rally with a two-run single. Cristian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman each had three of the team's 15 hits, helping the Nationals win for only the second time in nine games.

Baltimore, which owns the worst record in the majors, dropped to 6-18 on the road. Ty Wigginton homered and drove in four runs while Adam Jones hit an inside-the-park-homer.

Jones' hit bounced off the top of Nyjer Morgan's glove and, believing the ball had gone over the wall, Morgan threw down his glove, not realizing the ball was on the ground, which allowed Jones to come around.

"He made a human error," manager Jim Riggleman said. "He didn't not hustle. He didn't do ... a horrible thing. He made a terrible mistake, but it wasn't malicious."

Jones has two homers and five RBIs in his last three games after knocking in three runs in his previous 16 contests. He is a .444 lifetime hitter against the Nationals.

Washington, which has lost its last two interleague series against the Orioles, will hand the ball to John Lannan (1-2, 6.02), who is looking for his first win since April 10.

The left-hander gave up two runs in six innings against St. Louis on Tuesday, but the Nationals lost 3-2 and Lannan didn't receive a decision.

He is 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA against the Orioles, giving up three runs in 7 1-3 innings of a 5-3 win last year.

Guzman is batting .476 in the last 12 games while driving in three runs in the last four contests. However, he is only 1 for 7 against Millwood.