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Markakis, Orioles look to build off comeback win

Jun 7, 2008 - 12:24 PM Baltimore (30-30) at Toronto (32-31), 1:07 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Nick Markakis will attempt to extend his hitting streak to 10 games Saturday when the Baltimore Orioles square off against the Toronto Blue Jays in the middle contest of a three-game series.

Markakis collected four hits in Friday's 6-5 comeback victory, giving him a .459 batting average (17-for-37) over his current hitting streak. He is hitting .285 with 10 homers and 28 RBI on the season.

Baltimore erased a 5-0 deficit in the eighth inning Friday, capped by Adam Jones' two-run home run which gave the club a 6-5 edge. Kevin Millar and Melvin Mora also homered in the decisive frame for Baltimore, which has won four of its previous five contests.

Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie (2-6, 3.58 ERA) will try to avoid losing his fourth straight decision in this one. The righthander did not receive a decision Monday when he allowed two runs and eight hits with five strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings during a 6-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.

The Blue Jays will counter with righthander A.J. Burnett (5-5, 4.32), who tossed eight strong frames in his last outing but did not receive a decision. He yielded two runs on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in Sunday's 4-3 setback to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Toronto is hoping to snap a three-game losing streak.