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Orioles-Rays Preview

Aug 14, 2010 - 4:06 AM By JON PALMIERI STATS Editor

Baltimore (40-75) at Tampa Bay (69-45), 4:10 p.m. EDT

The Baltimore Orioles clearly are a vastly improved team under Buck Showalter. Beating one of baseball's best teams on the road is the latest evidence of that.

The Orioles look to win four straight series for the first time in six years Saturday when they continue a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays.

On pace earlier this season to challenge the 1962 Mets for the worst record in baseball history, the Orioles (41-75) have won nine of 11 since Showalter took over for the majors' best record in that span.

Baltimore swept the Angels in its first series with Showalter, then took three of four from the White Sox before winning two of three against Cleveland in the team's first road series under its third manager this season.

The resurgence continued Friday night at Tropicana Field as Jeremy Guthrie and two relievers combined on a three-hitter in a 5-0 victory. Adam Jones had a two-run triple and Luke Scott hit his team-leading 22nd homer, helping the Orioles to a rare win against an AL East team other than Boston.

Baltimore is 11-35 against its own division, with six of those wins coming versus the Red Sox.

A victory either in this game or Sunday would give the Orioles four straight series wins for the first time since August 2004.

"It's not a coincidence that we've turned it around since Buck showed up," Guthrie said. "He hasn't done anything necessarily different to make us win games, but we know what he expects. No magic formula, but maybe a kind of a good shift for us in gears."

Timely hitting again keyed a victory for Baltimore, something that was extremely rare before Showalter arrived. The Orioles are batting .382 with runners in scoring in their last 11 games after they hit a league-worst .217 before Aug. 3.

The wild card-leading Rays (69-46) lost for the seventh time in nine games. They failed to convert on seven opportunities with runners in scoring position and are 4 for 42 over the past four games.

"We have to keep working through it," manager Joe Maddon said. "I believe in our guys. It's just one of those moments that are very difficult."

Guthrie gave the Orioles their 10th quality start in 11 games under Showalter. That stretch includes two strong outings from rookie Brian Matusz (4-11, 5.08 ERA), who hopes for another Saturday.

The left-hander was very good Monday against the White Sox, allowing one run and three hits over six innings before leaving without a decision in a 3-2 victory. He has surrendered two total runs in his past two starts after giving up at least three in each of his previous four outings.

Matusz is 2-0 with a 5.09 ERA in three career starts against the Rays, posting wins in both games at Tropicana Field.

Andy Sonnanstine (2-1, 3.98) makes his second start after spending most of this season in the bullpen. The right-hander pitched well in his first start after nearly a month on the disabled list (strained left hamstring), but he had the misfortune of being matched up with Toronto's Brandon Morrow on Sunday. Morrow came within one out of a no-hitter and struck out 17 in the Blue Jays' 1-0 victory.

Sonnanstine gave up one run and three hits over 5 1-3 innings.

In eight starts against the Orioles, Sonnanstine is 2-4 with a 7.55 ERA.

Jones is 5 for 8 with two homers and two doubles against him.