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Millar, Orioles go for back-to-back wins

Aug 9, 2008 - 10:15 AM Texas (60-57) at Baltimore (55-59) 7:05 p.m. EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Orioles will try to ride slugger Kevin Millar and a surging offense to back-to-back wins Saturday when they host the Texas Rangers.

Millar recorded his third multi-homer game of the season Friday as part of a 15-hit attack in a 9-1 victory. Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong innings and every starter had at least one hit for Baltimore.

Millar, who is a free agent after this season, has 18 home runs - his highest total since he was with the Boston Red Sox in 2004. He is batting .248, but is in a .317 (13-for-41) tear over the last 10 games.

The Rangers, who lead the majors in runs scored with 652, have totaled four runs over their last three games - all losses.

Baltimore will send struggling Daniel Cabrera (7-7, 4.97 ERA) to the mound Saturday. The enigmatic righthander started off, peaking during an eight-start stretch in April and May when he went 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA.

But the wheels have fallen off, as Cabrera has posted an 8.91 ERA over his last four outings while allowing opponents a .330 batting average.

The Rangers will counter with righthander Vicente Padilla (12-5, 4.59), who will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous effort in his last appearance in Baltimore. The Nicaragua native had his worst start of the season July 4 at Camden Yards, allowing eight runs in 2 2/3 frames to suffer the loss.

Padilla went on the disabled list after that outing with neck stiffness and has gone 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts since his return.