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Pirates return to 'Charm City'

Jun 13, 2008 - 3:29 PM Pittsburgh (33-34) at Baltimore (32-33) 7:05 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) - The Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday return to Baltimore for the first time since their most recent championship.

The last time the Pirates were in the "Charm City" to face the Orioles they were hoisting the World Series trophy after erasing a three-games-to-one deficit.

Of course, that was 29 years ago, and these days neither team appears ready for a World Series run.

The Pirates will turn to pitcher Phil Dumatrait (3-3, 3.44 ERA), with hopes the lefthander can recapture some of the magic Hall of Famer Willie Stargell had in leading the club to the title in 1979.

The Pirates, however, have struggled on the road this season with a 12-19 mark.

The Orioles, who return home on a two-game slide after consecutive losses in Boston, counter with Brian Burres (4-5, 4.96).

The lefthander had tough go of it his last time out on June 6, allowing five runs over 4 1/3 innings at Toronto.

He did not receive a decisive as the Orioles rallied late for a 6-5 win, but it marked the third straight start that he failed to make it through five innings.