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Jimenez set for another start as O's battle Indians

Aug 16, 2014 - 2:20 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - A couple of four-win pitchers will be on the mound Saturday night as the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians play the second contest of a three-game set at Progressive Field.

Baltimore will trot out veteran Ubaldo Jimenez, who has struggled this season, to tangle with Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco.

Jimenez enters the fray with a 4-8 record on the season and a sub-par 4.51 earned run average. He's struck out 93 batters this season, and has maintained the control problems that were widely documented earlier in his career. That shows up in his 63 walks he's allowed in 19 starts.

But it wasn't all bad for Jimenez in his latest start last Saturday. The 30- year-old righty lasted six innings in a clash with the Cardinals, gave up three runs and six hits and picked up the win in a 10-3 Orioles rout. Jimenez hasn't suffered a loss in a start since June 13 as he made his first start since July 5 due to injury.

He's only made one start against Cleveland in his career, which ended horribly. Jimenez was tagged for five runs in just four innings of work, in which he suffered the loss.

Carrasco has made 31 appearances on the season, but most have come in a relief role. This will only be Carrasco's sixth start on the year, but his second against the Orioles in his career. Carrasco enters the contest with a 4-4 record and a 3.60 ERA.

His latest outing came against the Yankees as Carrasco lasted five innings and didn't allow a single run on two hits. He struck out four batters and was credited with the win in a 4-1 Cleveland victory.

Carrasco's lone start against Baltimore was a tough one to swallow. The 27- year-old lasted eight innings, but gave up three runs on six hits which was enough to bury his Indians. At home this season, Carrasco is 2-1 with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.

The Orioles and Indians needed 11 innings Friday night to decide a victor, and the home squad came away with the tight win, 2-1, after a Mike Aviles home run in the bottom of the inning lifted Cleveland above Baltimore.

Scott Atchison was awarded the win for Cleveland - his sixth of the season. He went two innings of relief without giving up a hit. Indians starter Corey Kluber went 7 2/3 innings and struck out 10 Orioles batters in the contest. Brian Matusz was handed the loss in the 11th.

"He's so good and he competes," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Kluber. "He's just worked himself into being one of the premier pitchers in baseball. He wants to be the best."

Michael Brantley, who entered Friday's contest third in the AL in batting average, went 0-for-4 for Cleveland. Aviles and Zach Walters were the only two with RBI for the Indians - both on solo homers.

Cleveland took a slight 3-2 lead in head-to-head matchups this season between the sides. The Indians have won four games in a row.