masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgGame Preview
Kansas City (40-60) at Orioles (43-57)

For the Orioles, it’s 100 games down and 62 to go in this 2009 season.

The O’s are 43-57 at the 100-game mark after Wednesday’s 7-3 win over KC. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis knocked in three runs each. Jones hit a first-inning homer for the third straight game in this series.

The four-game set comes to an end this afternoon with a matinee contest set for 12:35 p.m. Brad Bergesen (6-5, 3.56) faces KC’s Luke Hochevar (6-3, 4.84)

The…Game Preview
Kansas City (40-60) at Orioles (43-57)

For the Orioles, it’s 100 games down and 62 to go in this 2009 season.

The O’s are 43-57 at the 100-game mark after Wednesday’s 7-3 win over KC. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis knocked in three runs each. Jones hit a first-inning homer for the third straight game in this series.

The four-game set comes to an end this afternoon with a matinee contest set for 12:35 p.m. Brad Bergesen (6-5, 3.56) faces KC’s Luke Hochevar (6-3, 4.84)

The Royals won the first two games of this series and lead the season series, 4-3 over the Orioles.

After 100 games, the Orioles are 27-23 in home games and 16-34 in road contests.

They are 1-2 on this seven-game homestand.

The O’s 21-year-old right-hander, Chris Tillman made his Major League debut last night. He did not get a decision after allowing seven hits and three runs in 4 2/3. He gave up three solo home runs.

Matt Albers got the win Wednesday and Jim Johnson his second save of the year as they combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Royals pen had pitched nine scoreless innings in the series’ first two games, but gave up five runs over two innings last night.

Jones is 4 for 13 in this series with three homers and 7 RBI. He has homered five times in 12 games since the All-Star break.

Nolan Reimold went hitless Wednesday but is 11 for 20 over his last six games. Matt Wieters is 10 for 21 with 3 RBI during a six-game hitting streak.

O’s pitching has slowly been getting better. Over the last 18 games, the team ERA is 3.95.

Kansas City has won three of five games. But, over a longer stretch, they have lost 12 of the last 15.

O’s hitters, this series:
Andino: 0-0
Huff: 3-13, RBI
Izturis: 5-12, run
Jones: 4-13, 3 homers, 7 RBI
Markakis: 3-13, 2B, 3 RBI
Mora: 1-11
Pie: 0-0
Reimold: 4-10, run
Roberts: 4-14, 2B, four runs
Scott: 0-9
Wieters: 5-9, 2 RBI
Wigginton: 1-4
Zaun: 0-3