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Blue Jays, Orioles open series after losing streaks end

Sep 14, 2007 - 1:29 PM Baltimore (62-83) at Toronto (73-73) 7:07 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Two struggling teams that ended losing streaks meet on Friday when the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game series.

The Blue Jays snapped a five-game skid Thursday with a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees. Frank Thomas plated Alex Rios for the game-winning run in the ninth inning as Toronto salvaged the finale of the three-game set.

Also on Thursday, the Orioles ended a three-game slide with a 3-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the series finale. Despite the win, Baltimore has lost 18 of its last 22 games, having been outscored 196-99 over that span.

Rookie Jesse Litsch (5-8, 4.11) will look for a win after back-to-back losses when he starts for the Blue Jays.

Litsch struggled during his last two starts, allowing 10 runs and 14 hits over 8 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old's last win came when he allowed three runs - two earned - over 6 1/3 innings as Toronto edged the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 5-4, on August 23.

For the season, Litsch is 1-1 with a 1.84 ERA in two starts against Baltimore.

Fellow rookie Brian Burres (5-5, 5.85 ERA) will be the 10th different starter used by the Orioles since August 26 when he takes the mound on Friday.

Burres will be making his first start since August 4, when he surrendered seven runs - six earned - in just 3 1/3 innings to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The 26-year-old lefthander hasn't fared much better in the bullpen, allowing at least one run in eight of his last nine appearances.