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Red Sox-Orioles Preview

Jun 4, 2010 - 3:22 PM By JON PALMIERI STATS Editor

Boston (31-24) at Baltimore (15-39), 7:05 p.m. EDT

While a 13th straight losing season was almost expected, the Baltimore Orioles hoped to make some strides this year.

Now it will be up to Juan Samuel to try and improve the worst club the major leagues.

Samuel will make his debut as interim manager Friday night when the Orioles open a three-game series against the visiting Boston Red Sox.

Rumors had been swirling about Dave Trembley's job security since the Orioles (15-39) opened 2-16, the second-worst start in franchise history. Those rumors intensified after Baltimore went 0-6 on a road trip to Toronto and New York, getting outscored 34-8.

On Friday morning, the Orioles fired Trembley after he went 187-283 since taking over for Sam Perlozzo in June 2007.

"The results on the field were not what any of us would have hoped for, and I understand that the organization felt the time was right to move in a different direction," Trembley said in a statement. "While I am disappointed at the outcome, I feel it was a privilege to wear the Orioles uniform each day."

The 49-year-old Samuel was a three-time All-Star during a 16-year playing career that ran through 1998. His only managerial experience came in 2006, when he led Binghamton of the Eastern League to a 70-69 record and a second-place finish.

A loss in this series opener would match Baltimore's longest skid of the season, a nine-game slide April 9-17.

"We're the ones that throw the ball, we are the ones that swing the bats and catch the ball," designated hitter Luke Scott said Thursday after Baltimore's 6-3 loss to the Yankees. "All the manager can do is put his best nine out there. I mean, it's not his fault. What can you say?"

Injuries have played a large role in Baltimore's dismal season.

Second baseman and offensive catalyst Brian Roberts has yet to play this year. Left fielder Felix Pie, closer Michael Gonzalez and relievers Koji Uehara, Jim Johnson and Alfredo Simon also are on the disabled list.

Thursday's loss marked the 34th time in 54 games the Orioles have scored three runs or fewer. They rank last in the AL in runs (180) and are batting a major league-worst .217 with runners in scoring position.

Adam Jones and Matt Wieters were expected to be big parts of Baltimore's offense, but both youngsters have struggled. Jones is batting .249 and has struck out nine times in his last six games. Wieters is 0 for 14 with seven strikeouts in his past four games, dropping his average to a season-low .240.

Baltimore's high point of the season came during a home sweep of Boston from April 30-May 2, its only three-game win streak of the year. The Orioles have won four of six this season against the Red Sox after losing 16 of 18 in 2009.

One day after falling to CC Sabathia, the Orioles have another difficult assignment Friday against red-hot Clay Buchholz (7-3, 2.73 ERA), who is 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA in his last four starts.

The right-hander outdueled 2009 AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke in a 1-0 victory over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing four hits with four walks and four strikeouts in seven innings to win for the sixth time in seven starts.

Buchholz is 3-2 with a 4.59 ERA in six starts against Baltimore, but he's surrendered one run in the last two outings, spanning 13 innings.

The Red Sox (31-24) had a four-game win streak snapped with a 9-8 loss to Oakland on Thursday despite collecting 18 hits - 10 for extra bases and three for homers.

"We had a lot of hits, scored a lot of runs and end up losing the game," said catcher Victor Martinez, "but on the other side they put really good swings on it and they end up taking advantage."

Martinez, batting .465 (20 for 43) with four homers and nine RBIs in his last 12 games, will take his swings against Chris Tillman (0-0, 3.18), who makes his home season debut.

Tillman didn't receive a decision in a 5-2 loss at Toronto on Saturday, yielding two runs and six hits in 5 2-3 innings. He has never faced the Red Sox.

Boston has won a season-best five straight on the road.