White Sox 4 - 6 Orioles
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Humber aims to get on track versus Orioles

Aug 10, 2011 - 2:58 PM

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(Sports Network) - Philip Humber tries to get himself back into the win column this evening when the Chicago White Sox continue a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Humber opened the year 7-3, but has since dropped five of his last six starts, including each of the last four, an awful stretch that has seen him pitch to a 7.97 earned run average. His most recent setback came on Thursday against the New York Yankees, who ripped him for four runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings.

"You gotta give those guys a lot of credit, said Humber, whose ERA has jumped to 3.56 over the rough patch. "They played the game better than we did."

Humber lost to the Orioles earlier in the year in his only other start against them, surrendering two runs and three hits in seven innings of a 6-2 loss back on April 30.

Baltimore, meanwhile, will counter with righty Tommy Hunter, who lost his first start with the O's on Friday. Hunter, acquired from Texas as part of the Koji Uehara deal, was defeated by Toronto, as he allowed four runs and eight hits in four innings, dropping him to 1-2 on the year, while raising his ERA more than a run to 4.43.

"That wasn't a very good one," Hunter said. "That was one where I could not make an adjustment. That's what we worked on in the bullpen, throwing the fastball down and away, make sure I'm low in the zone. If the ball is up, you are going to get hit. You got to make adjustments when it's not right."

Hunter beat the White Sox in his only other start against them, limiting them to a run over seven innings back in 2010.

Hunter will have his hands full with a White Sox team that is red-hot at the moment. Chicago won its fifth straight game on Tuesday, as Brent Morel homered, drove in two runs and made a terrific play in the field in the seventh inning to help the White Sox to a 4-3 triumph.

Carlos Quentin added a solo homer and A.J. Pierzynski went 2-for-4 with an RBI double for Chicago, which had lost six straight prior to the recent run.

The White Sox, who are the only AL team with a winning mark on the road and a below-.500 ledger at home, have also won seven straight away from home. With another win tonight, they will have their best stretch as a visitor since winning 12 consecutive games away from home June 4-July 3, 2000.

Gavin Floyd (10-10), an Annapolis native, gave up three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings to earn the win.

"We keep fighting. We have a great attitude and a lot of enthusiasm in the clubhouse and in the dugout," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

Jo-Jo Reyes (5-9), making his first start with the Orioles after being claimed off waivers from Toronto, was touched for four runs on five hits in four innings of work.

Baltimore has dropped three straight and six of seven.

Chicago has split its six meetings with the Orioles this season.






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