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Nationals-Orioles Preview

Jun 26, 2010 - 4:47 AM By JON PALMIERI STATS Editor

Washington (33-40) at Baltimore (20-52), 4:05 p.m. EDT

Finding something to build on has been extremely difficult for the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles.

Erasing a huge deficit and winning in their final at-bat should instill some much-needed confidence.

The Orioles look to match a season high with their third straight win Saturday when they continue a three-game set against the visiting Washington Nationals.

Trailing 6-0 after four innings of Friday night's series opener, the Orioles (21-52) scored three times in the fifth and tied it with a three-run eighth - highlighted by Scott Moore's pinch-hit two-run homer. The game appeared headed for extra innings before Washington second baseman Cristian Guzman's throwing error on Julio Lugo's potential double-play ball in the ninth allowed pinch-runner Jake Fox to score the winning run.

"It wasn't looking good for us early on," Baltimore left fielder Corey Patterson said. "I think there were a lot of heroes in this game. Pick one."

Baltimore's biggest comeback of the season gave it consecutive wins for the first time since a three-game run May 12-14. The Orioles' only other three-game win streak this season was a sweep of Boston from April 30-May 2.

Adam Dunn had four RBIs and Nyjer Morgan added four hits and three runs scored for Washington, but the Nationals (33-41) committed a season-high four errors and lost for the 10th time in 13 games. They have dropped 18 of 22 on the road and are a season-high eight games below .500 for the second time this season.

"It's not football. I can't put a defensive team and an offensive team out there," manager Jim Riggleman said. "It's the major leagues and we have to play major league defense."

Baltimore's offense has come to life lately, averaging 6.0 runs while batting .309 in the last six games. The Orioles averaged 2.3 runs and hit .243 in their previous 19 contests, resulting in 16 losses.

Brad Bergesen (3-4, 6.50 ERA) is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and start for the Orioles. The right-hander was sent to the minors for the second time this season June 13 after a brief stint in the bullpen. He went 0-1 with a 10.05 ERA in his previous three starts.

The sinkerballer was roughed up by the Nationals for six runs and a career high-tying 11 hits May 22 but escaped without a decision in Baltimore's 7-6 loss.

He is 1-0 with a 5.94 ERA in three starts against Washington.

Livan Hernandez (6-4, 2.82) counters for the Nationals. He rebounded from his worst start of the season by beating Kansas City 2-1 on Monday to help Washington snap its six-game skid. The right-hander limited the Royals to one run and eight hits over seven innings in his longest outing since May 9.

Before giving up eight runs to Detroit in his previous start, Hernandez hadn't surrendered more than four all season. He has lasted at least six innings in 12 of his 14 outings.

Hernandez is 3-1 with a 3.69 ERA in six starts against the Orioles. He pitched seven strong innings at Camden Yards last season before leaving without a decision in the Nationals' 5-4 loss.