BAL Orioles at KC Royals (May 09, 2008)
2008-05-09 06:49:00
PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW
(BALTIMORE-KANSAS CITY)
*Orioles look for two straight vs. Royals*
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Baltimore (17-18) at Kansas City (15-19) 8:10 pm EDT
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) - The Baltimore Orioles snapped a
five-game slide on Thursday. They will look to win two
straight for the first time since April 26 when they visit the
Kansas City Royals Friday.
The Orioles spent much of April at the top of the American
League East, but nine losses in their past 12 games has them
back below .500 and near the bottom of the division.
The two constant positives for the team over the past five weeks
have been righthander Daniel Cabrera and right fielder Nick
Markakis, and both were key in Baltimore's 4-1 victory on
Thursday.
Cabrera tossed the fifth complete game of his career, striking
out seven while allowing just one run on three hits and a walk.
The Dominican hurler has put together six consecutive quality
starts.
Markakis provided the winning margin with a three-run blast -
his seventh homer of the season.
The Royals' single run Thursday marked the 16th time this season
that they have failed to score more than three runs. They
remain last in the AL in runs scored.
Kansas City will take its swings Friday against Orioles' veteran
Steve Trachsel (1-4, 7.42 ERA). The righthander has not won
since April 4 and has failed to last more than three innings in
three of his last four starts.
The Royals will counter with Gil Meche (2-4, 5.98). The
righthander is coming off his best start of the season Sunday at
Cleveland when he allowed four hits and struck out four in
seven scoreless innings to notch a win.
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