Orioles 3 - 1 Guardians
Final
  for this game

O's hope for another victory in Cleveland

Jul 21, 2012 - 1:40 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Baltimore Orioles try to take control of their four- game series Saturday night when they do battle with the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field.

The Orioles captured the first game of the series on Friday night when they trounced the Tribe, 10-2.

Most of Baltimore's damage came in a sixth-run top of the third inning, which was capped off by a three-run home run from Ryan Flaherty, just his third of the year.

Jim Thome also connected on a longball in the game, the 610th of his illustrious career and his first as a member of the Orioles.

"Nothing Jim does surprises me and I just feel pretty lucky to watch and enjoy it," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "I'm glad he's passed our way. He sets a great example for everybody and works incredibly hard. He plays every game like it's his first in Little League."

Miguel Gonzalez (2-1) was impressive in the win, pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing seven hits and two runs while adding five strikeouts. Gonzalez's ERA is now just 2.61 in six appearances this season.

Derek Lowe (8-8) continued to struggle for the Indians, as he surrendered seven hits, five walks, and nine runs in just three innings of work. It marks the fourth time since May 26 that Lowe has given up at least seven earned runs in a start.

The Orioles will send Chris Tillman to the mound on Saturday and in two starts this season he has had two very different results.

He was dazzling in his season debut on July 4 against the Mariners, tossing 8 1/3 innings while allowing just two hits, two walks, and two unearned runs while striking out seven in a 4-2 win.

The right-hander's following start was far less impressive however, as he lasted just two-thirds of an inning while surrendering five hits, two walks, and seven runs in a 19-7 setback on July 16. Despite getting touched up, only one of the seven runs he gave up was earned, leaving his ERA at just 1.00 on the season.

Tillman has faced the Indians twice before over his four-year career, going 0-1 while allowing seven earned runs in seven innings.

The Indians will counter with Zach McAllister, who has been a pleasant surprise in limited opportunities, going 4-1 with a 3.17 ERA in eight starts.

The 24-year-old right-hander has been especially impressive since being recalled from Triple-A on June 28, going 3-0 in four starts with a 2.34 ERA, including a six-inning, one-earned run performance in a 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay in his last start on July 16.

"I had a good mix (of pitches)," McAllister said of his last start. "I wouldn't say anything was great, but I was able to mix pretty well."

The Indians, who took three of four in Baltimore from June 28-July 1, have won nine of their last 13 versus the O's.






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