Angels, Orioles resume set at the Big A
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The LA Angels of Anaheim are desperate to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive and a victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles tonight would certainly help the cause.
Tommy Hunter was originally scheduled to start tomorrow, but he is being called upon one day early because Jeremy Guthrie is still experiencing soreness in his shoulder. The righty picked up his first win for his new club since arriving in Baltimore at the trade deadline, as he threw 6 2/3 innings on Tuesday against Oakland. A converted reliever, he is 2-2 overall this season with a 4.28 ERA.
Hunter hasn't had much success against the Angels in his career, posting 1-4 record and an 8.87 ERA in five appearances.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Expected to get the ball for the Angels tonight is Joel Pineiro, as he takes the place of the injured Garrett Richards. Pineiro hasn't enjoyed much success this season, as he is a modest 5-6 with a 5.34 ERA. His most recent start came back on August 3rd against Minnesota and resulted in an ugly defeat, as the righty was shelled for seven earned runs in just 4 1/3 innings.
Pineiro lost a game to the Orioles earlier this season and is 3-5 lifetime against them with a 5.25 ERA.
Yesterday, Torii Hunter hit two home runs and notched five RBI to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, leading the Angels past the Orioles, 8-3, in the opener of a three-game series.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Peter Bourjos had three hits, including a solo homer, and Mike Trout, who was called up prior to the game, added a home run as well. The Halos have won two straight following a five-game skid.
Dan Haren (13-6) allowed three runs on nine hits while striking out eight over seven innings to earn the win.
Jo-Jo Reyes (6-10) was reached for five runs on eight hits over five frames to suffer the loss. He walked three and struck out six.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Adam Jones had a pair of RBI for the Orioles, losers of three straight and six of eight.
On Thursday, the Angels downed the Rangers courtesy of Mark Trumbo's two-run, walkoff homer. They carried the momentum into Friday, pushing four runs across in the opening frame. Texas is six games ahead of Anaheim for the top spot in the AL West Division.
Anaheim won two of three meetings at Baltimore from July 22-24, but is only 3-7 in the previous 10 matchups between the clubs.