Orioles seek another win over Tribe
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Baltimore Orioles will try to build some momentum as they host the Cleveland Indians for the third part of a four-game series at Camden Yards.
The Orioles snapped a three-game skid on Friday with their 9-8 victory over the Tribe in an exciting contest. Matt Wieters and Xaxier Avery both hit key home runs to help Baltimore pick up the much-needed victory.
Baltimore had scored only 23 runs in its past nine games before Friday's outburst. They also had gone 3-for-52 with runners in scoring position before Weiters's three-run home run in the sixth inning on Friday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I was so proud of the guys tonight," manager Buck Showalter said. "They just kept grinding. They're not going to be denied."
Wilson Betemit extended his hitting streak to nine games by going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Friday.
Dana Eveland will make his second start of the season today for the Orioles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The southpaw allowed three runs on five hits and six walks in six innings to the Rays during his only start of the season on May 11. Eveland has been very efficient out of the bullpen, posting a 2.57 ERA in 10 appearances as Baltimore's long reliever. How the left-hander performs today could have a big impact on whether he will serve as a starter or reliever.
Eveland is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts - both with Oakland - against the Indians.
Friday's loss was the sixth in seven games for the Indians despite a season- high 16 hits. Cleveland is in danger of dropping below .500 for the first time since they were 3-4 in the early stages of the season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Everything has been blown out of proportion," Acta said prior to Thursday's game. "We just won four in a row before we lost these five in a row. It's something that you have to keep in perspective and know that every team goes through it.
"It's about staying positive, sticking together and just making sure you do what you're supposed to do and not panic and try to do too much."
The Indians will give Josh Tomlin another try today after his rough outing on Monday. The right-hander was pulled after only three innings in which he allowed the Yankees to score six runs and belt three home runs on six hits. It was the second time in three starts Tomlin surrendered six runs as his ERA jumped up to an unimpressive 5.70 on the season. He is 2-1 with a 5.06 ERA in three career starts against the Orioles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We were able to string some hits together," Kotchman said. "We just came up a little short there at the end."
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has gone 4-for-11 with two home runs and four RBI in the opening two games of the series for Cleveland. Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo has also been successful in the series so far, going 4-for-8 at the plate with a home run and three RBI.
Cleveland won five of its seven matchups with the Orioles last season.