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Olson aims to stay perfect at home as Orioles face Astros

Jun 17, 2008 - 2:14 PM HOUSTON (33-37) at BALTIMORE (34-34), 7:05 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Rookie Garrett Olson likes the scene at Camden Yards.

Olson and the Baltimore Orioles look to win the first game of their fifth straight series when they face the

struggling Houston Astros in interleague play.

Baltimore failed in its attempt to win its second sweep of three games or more in 2008 when the Orioles dropped a 5-4, 10th inning defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Baltimore hasn't lost the initial contest of a series since losing to Boston on May 30.

The home team hands the ball to Olson (5-2, 4.53 ERA), who is a perfect 3-0 (2.66 ERA) in four starts here. The rookie southpaw is 4-1 in eight career starts at Orioles Park.

The Astros, losers of five in a row and seven of eight, counter with Brandon Backe (4-8, 5.00), who has lost a career-high three in a row.

The righthander, who yielded five runs in four innings of a 10-6 defeat to Milwaukee last Wednesday, is 0-2 lifetime vs. Baltimore.

The Orioles have won three straight vs. the Astros in this interleague matchup.