masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles had a chance to re-sign left-hander Joe Saunders over the winter and didn’t do it, though one member of the organization said they were “close.” They checked on his availability at the non-waiver trade deadline last week, but the Mariners held onto him.

Saunders is facing the Orioles today for the second time since signing a one-year, $6.5 million contract over the winter. He went the distance on April 29, allowing two runs and four hits in a 6-2 victory over the Orioles at…The Orioles had a chance to re-sign left-hander Joe Saunders over the winter and didn’t do it, though one member of the organization said they were “close.” They checked on his availability at the non-waiver trade deadline last week, but the Mariners held onto him.

Saunders is facing the Orioles today for the second time since signing a one-year, $6.5 million contract over the winter. He went the distance on April 29, allowing two runs and four hits in a 6-2 victory over the Orioles at Safeco Field.

It happened so long ago, Zach Britton started for the Orioles, Nolan Reimold was in left field and Alexi Casilla started at second base.

OK, Casilla also started at second last night, but it’s now a rare occurance.

Saunders is 6-0 with a 4.22 ERA in eight career starts against the Orioles. He’s 5-2 with a 4.93 ERA in seven starts at Camden Yards.

Matt Wieters is 3-for-5 with two home runs lifetime against Saunders, but he figures to sit today following a night game. Taylor Teagarden doubled in his only at-bat against Saunders. Small sample size.

Chris Davis is 3-for-15 with a home run and six strikeouts.

Right-handers are batting .289 against Saunders, compared to .240 by left-handers.

Wei-Yin Chen gets the start for the Orioles. He’s 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA in three career outings against the Mariners, with five walks and 17 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.

Justin Smoak is 3-for-6 with two doubles against him. Michael Morse is 3-for-5 with a home run.

The Orioles lead the majors in home runs with 148, but they also lead the majors in home runs allowed with 143.

Wieters has six stolen bases in his career, and all of them consecutively after he was thrown out in his first attempt on April 30, 2010 against the Red Sox.

It’s what you know…