Tonight's pitchers: Berken vs. Danks

RHP Jason Berken (1-6, 5.87) tonight makes his 10th start of the year, his 4th on the road and the 1st of his career vs. the White Sox. Berken took a loss last Friday, giving up two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 vs. Toronto. After the game, Berken was encouraged by his outing said he "made some adjustments to clean up his delivery. It gives me something to build on for the second half." Berken has allowed exactly 2ER in three of his last four starts, pitching to an ERA of 4.58 over that stretch. In two July starts, his ERA is 3.72. Still, the Orioles are 2-7 in Berken's nine starts and he has not picked up a win since beating Toronto on May 26 in his Major League debut. He is 0-6 over eight starts since. The 25-year-old Berken has recorded just one quality start and has pitched six innings or more just twice. In three road starts, Berken is 0-2, 9.49, allowing 13ER over 12 1/3 innings. LHP John Danks (7-6, 3.91) tonight makes his 18th start of the season, his 9th at home and the 5th start of his career vs. Baltimore. Danks had a run of five straight quality starts end in his last outing. Last Friday vs. Minnesota, he gave up four hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings. He had pitched 14 1/3 scoreless innings over his previous two starts. Since June first, the 24-year-old Danks is 3-3, 2.87 in seven starts. In eight home starts, he is 2-4, 3.33. Right-handed batters hit .231 off Danks and lefties bat .250 against him. In 101 1/3 innings on the year he has allowed 90 hits with 37 walks and 89 strikeouts. The Sox are 9-8 in his 17 starts. Danks vs. Baltimore: 2009: 1-0, 1.29, one start (7IP, 4H, 1R-ER on April 22) Career: 2-2, 4.56, four starts (23 2/3IP, 22H, 4B, 11K)



The second half begins: O's at Sox
Noting Tillman and Markakis