Final
Orioles send Britton to mound vs. Twins
Apr 20, 2011 - 2:41 PM (Sports Network) - Zach Britton tries to bounce back from the worst start of his career this evening when the Baltimore Orioles resume their four-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards.After allowing just one run in winning his first two starts, the 23-year-old left-hander was banged around by the Cleveland Indians, who reached him for five runs and eight hits in six innings. Still, he is pitching to a 2.75 earned run average and has nearly as many strikeouts (14) as hits allowed (15) through his first three starts.
"I was a little disappointed ... I tried to make pitches, but they weren't good enough," Britton said after his poor outing.
The young hurler may not have to deal with Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau, who is day-to-day with the flu. Morneau missed Tuesday's contest, as Baltimore snapped an eight-game losing streak with an 11-0 rout.
Matt Wieters went 2-for-3 and scored three times, while Brian Roberts and Vladimir Guerrero each had three RBI for the Orioles, who scored all their runs with two outs.
"We have a deep lineup," Wieters said. "I hope we all don't slump together again and this losing streak doesn't happen again."
Baltimore starter Jake Arrieta (2-1) was solid in a scoreless six-inning outing where he scattered four hits and fanned four batters.
Michael Cuddyer collected two hits for the Twins, who won the first matchup of the four-game series. Carl Pavano (1-2) was touched for eight runs -- seven earned -- on eight hits while walking three in 4 2/3 innings.
"You have to be able to finish off innings," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We didn't get it done tonight."
Tonight, Minnesota turns to right-hander Nick Blackburn, who has lost his last two starts. After allowing one earned run in his first two starts, Blackburn was hit hard his last time out and absorbed the loss on Friday against Tampa Bay, as he gave up five runs and 10 hits in six innings, dropping him to 1-2, while ballooning his ERA to 3.06.
Blackburn has faced the Orioles four times (three starts) and is 1-2 with a 5.79 ERA.
Minnesota was 5-3 against the Orioles last season.
- MINNESOTA: 4
BALTIMORE: 5
Final
Apr 20 9:27 PM - Danny Valencia single to left scored Jason Kubel with two outs. Runners on first and second and Luke Hughes due up.
Twins 4, Orioles 5 Top 8, 2 OutsApr 20 9:11 PM - Vladimir Guerrero two-out, solo Home Run (3) to left. Luke Scott due up.
Twins 1, Orioles 5 Bot 3, 2 OutsApr 20 7:58 PM - Matt Wieters one-out, two-run Home Run (3) to center scored Adam Jones. Robert Andino due up.
Twins 1, Orioles 4 Bot 2, 1 OutApr 20 7:41 PM - Adam Jones double to right scored Vladimir Guerrero and Luke Scott with none out. Runner on second and Mark Reynolds due up.
Twins 1, Orioles 2 Bot 2, 0 OutsApr 20 7:39 PM - Michael Cuddyer lead-off Home Run (1) to center. Jim Thome due up.
Twins 1, Orioles 0 Top 2, 0 OutsApr 20 7:28 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
BALTIMORE: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 20 7:09 PM
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