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Romero gets the call for the Jays at Camden Yards

Jun 4, 2011 - 2:42 PM (Sports Network) - Ricky Romero has been the anchor to this young Toronto rotation, and the southpaw will try to keep the Blue Jays in the hunt for the top spot in the American League East when they take on the Baltimore Orioles this evening at Camden Yards.

The Blue Jays squared off with Baltimore 18 times a year ago, winning 15 of those matchups, and took six of nine meetings on the road. Toronto's overwhelming success against the Orioles continued on Friday, as the Blue Jays trumped Baltimore by an 8-4 margin.

J.P. Arencibia's grand slam proved to be enough for the Blue Jays, but Toronto also received help from Yunel Escobar, who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Carlos Villanueva (3-0) was credited with the win, throwing 5 1/3 innings and getting charged with two runs on six hits.

Zach Britton (5-4) had the shortest outing of his young career in the loss. The rookie left-hander and was roughed up for seven runs -- five earned -- on six hits and three walks over five innings.

J.J. Hardy went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer for Baltimore, which began a nine-game homestand with its sixth loss in seven games.

Romero, meanwhile, has been the top dog in an otherwise nameless rotation, and although he boast a mediocre ledger of 5-4, the crafty lefty carries an impressive 2.88 earned run average.

Romero opened the month of May by laying an egg against Detroit, allowing six runs, while not making it past the fourth inning. However, since that outing the young hurler has been practically untouchable, allowing just four runs over his next four starts.

The most recent matchup for Romero came against Chicago, and he was rather impressive, holding the White Sox to just two runs on six hits in seven innings.

Since these two teams share the same division Romero is no stranger to the O's, as this will be his ninth start against the division rival. In his previous eight appearances against Baltimore, Romero has claimed a 3-2 ledger with a mediocre 3.60 earned run average.

The Orioles have a promising, but young rotation as well, and tonight they will turn to one of those hurlers when Jake Arrieta takes the mound. Like any developing pitcher Arrieta has endured plenty of peaks and valleys this year and his inexperience was evident in his recent loss to Seattle.

Against the Mariners the right-hander did not make it through the third inning, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks. It was the second time in three outings that Arrieta could not last at least five innings.

Arrieta has only made one career showing against the Toronto, but it was a successful one, as he held the Blue Jays scoreless through six innings, scattering four hits, while striking out five batters.