• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Jays, O's play rubber match at Camden Yards

Sep 1, 2011 - 3:01 PM (Sports Network) - Luis Perez tries to win his third straight decision this afternoon when the Toronto Blue Jays play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Perez did not get a decision on Saturday against Tampa Bay, but was impressive in just his second big league start, as he allowed two runs and five hits in five innings of his team's 6-5 loss. He had allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings in his first start.

The left-handed rookie has faced the O's three times out of the bullpen and has not allowed a run in 2 2/3 innings.

Toronto got a terrific effort from another rookie on Wednesday, as Henderson Alvarez threw eight scoreless innings and earned his first major league win in a 13-0 rout. Alvarez was backed by four home runs and became the youngest Blue Jays starter to win a game since 1979.

"He just pitched a phenomenal game," said Don Wakamatsu, who is filling in while manager John Farrell recovers from pneumonia. "I think it breathes a little life into the offense. We've been swinging the bats better lately."

Kelly Johnson, Jose Molina, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista all homered for the Blue Jays, who banged out 20 hits, but won for only the second time in their last seven games.

Former Blue Jay Jo-Jo Reyes (7-11), perhaps best known for the 28-game winless streak he snapped earlier this season, gave up seven hits and eight runs while walking one and striking out two.

"We made a lot of bad pitches. Jo-Jo was pretty flat and didn't have much of an angle going," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "But I was impressed with their kid. That goes without saying."

Hoping for a better effort tonight the Orioles will turn to righty Tommy Hunter, who is 3-2 with a 4.98 ERA. Hunter won his second consecutive decision on Friday against New York, as he held the Yankees to four runs and five hits in seven innings.

Hunter is 1-2 with a 6.83 ERA in six games (four starts) against the Blue Jays.

Toronto has won nine of 14 meetings with the Orioles this season.