The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hope to continue their mastery of the Baltimore Orioles this evening when the two ballclubs continue a four-game series at Angel Stadium.
The Angels beat the Orioles for the fifth time in six tries this season in Thursday's opener, as Kendrys Morales went 3-for-4 with three RBI to help L.A. to a 9-7 win. Mike Trout went 2-for-2 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored while Howie Kendrick added two hits, drove in one and scored twice for the Angels, who had dropped four of six coming in.
"I'm not trying to do too much out there and just trying to hit the ball up the middle," Trout said.
Garrett Richards started on the mound, but lasted just 4 1/3 innings as he was tagged for seven runs on 10 hits. LaTroy Hawkins (2-1) got the final two outs of the fifth to grab the win.
Matt Wieters smacked a three-run home run and drove in four for the Orioles, who lost for the first time in three games. Xavier Avery had two hits and scored twice in the loss.
Jake Arrieta didn't fare well in his start, either, as he was touched for six runs on five hits over just 3 2/3 innings. Luis Ayala (2-2) gave up two runs in the fourth to take the loss.
"Jake's command was an issue from the get go," O's manager Buck Showalter said. "He's not throwing well. He had great tempo early in the year."
Tonight, the Halos turn to lefty C.J. Wilson, who is 9-4 with a 2.33 ERA. Wilson did not get a decision on Sunday in Toronto, as he allowed two runs (1 earned) and three hits with five walks in five innings.
Wilson beat the O's earlier in the year and is 3-3 lifetime against them with a 4.46 ERA in 20 games (4 starts).
The Orioles, meanwhile, will counter with righty Miguel Gonzalez, who will be making his first big league start.
Gonzalez, a Los Angeles, native, has appeared in three games out of the bullpen for Baltimore and has allowed three runs in 11 2/3 innings without recording a decision.
"It's pretty exciting to be here in front of family and friends," Gonzalez said. "[The Orioles] are giving me the opportunity to start tomorrow, so I'm going to give it my all."
The Angels won two of three at home against the O's on April 20-22 before sweeping a pair in Baltimore on June 26-27.
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