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A's, O's play rubber match at Camden Yards

Jun 8, 2014 - 2:02 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Two powerful hurlers will be taking the mound Sunday as the Oakland Athletics take on the Baltimore Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game series at Camden Yards.

The A's will trot out veteran lefty Scott Kazmir, who is having a revitalizing season with the Athletics.

Kazmir was credited with a no-decision Tuesday in his last outing against the Yankees, even though he was dominant. The A's starter tossed 6 1/3 innings, and gave up six hits and two earned runs all while striking out a season-high 10 batters.

Kazmir enters the contest with a 6-2 record on the season, with a 2.40 earned run average and 63 strikeouts to 15 walks. On the road, Kazmir is 3-1 in seven starts this season.

In his career against the Orioles, Kazmir has made 16 starts and has a 5-5 record to show for it. In 91 1/3 innings pitched, Kazmir has notched 84 K's against Baltimore and has racked up a 4.43 ERA.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ubaldo Jimenez gets the starting nod for the O's. Jimenez has been nothing short of average since arriving in Baltimore. He enters the game with a 2-6 record on the year and a 4.39 ERA.

His last two starts have been strong ones, though, despite the fact they've ended in no-decisions for the 30-year-old Jimenez. Against Texas on Tuesday, he tossed 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball after giving up just four hits in an eventual 8-3 Orioles victory. That's two straight starts for Jimenez of allowing just one earned run with at least five strikeouts.

In Saturday's contest, fresh from his minor league call-up, Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman stole the show by throwing seven innings of one-run ball in his team's 6-3 win. Gausman gave up just four hits to an Athletics squad that entered the day sporting a major league-best 21-11 road record.

"It's always huge when you get a win, especially against a team like the A's," Gausman said afterward. "They're playing great baseball right now. It's been a fun series to watch so far. Hopefully we can win the series tomorrow."

Gausman got the win, and was aided by home runs from Adam Jones and David Lough, who ended the game with two RBI each.

"He's getting the opportunity," Jones said of Gausman. "This game is all about confidence."

Oakland pitcher Sonny Gray was handed the loss, and fell to 6-2 on the season after allowing five earned runs on four hits.

With a win Sunday, Baltimore would move to .500 at home this season. The Orioles currently own a 12-13 record at Camden Yards.