VENUE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Seattle's Felix Hernandez is looking for something to help him get back on track. Facing the Baltimore Orioles could be just what he needs.
The Mariners' ace looks to avoid a fourth straight loss while trying to help his team beat the Orioles on Thursday for their first winning series in two weeks.
After winning two of his first four starts, Hernandez (2-3, 4.30 ERA) has gotten progressively worse in dropping his last three. He allowed eight runs in 3 1-3 innings of an 8-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. It was his shortest outing not involving an injury since Sept. 16, 2005.
The right-hander, who's allowed 16 runs in 14 2-3 innings over his last three outings, hasn't dropped four straight starts since April 27-March 13, 2008.
"I am not giving up. I will keep working and it will get better," Hernandez told the Mariners' official website.
That could start against the Orioles.
Hernandez is 5-3 with a 3.41 ERA in 11 starts against Baltimore, including 2-1 with a 1.25 ERA in his last five. He allowed one unearned run in a 4-1 complete-game win over Baltimore on April 21, walking none and striking out six.
Nick Markakis went 3 for 4 in that game and is 13 for 26 lifetime against Hernandez.
The Orioles' Kevin Millwood (0-4, 3.26) also threw a complete game in that contest, and will try to avoid a fourth straight loss to the Mariners when he takes ball Thursday. The right-hander, who's 8-12 with a 5.05 ERA against the Mariners, will try an eighth time for his first win as an Oriole.
Millwood allowed three runs in seven innings of a 6-1 loss at Minnesota on Saturday. Baltimore has scored 17 runs in his seven starts this season.
"It happens to everybody," Millwood told the Orioles' official website. "Guys are fighting hard and they are doing everything they can to put some runs across while I've been pitching. I just haven't been so lucky yet."
The Orioles (10-24) were more than lucky in snapping a three-game skid with a 5-2 win Wednesday to even the series with the Mariners.
Luke Scott homered, Adam Jones had three hits and Brad Bergesen threw 7 2-3 solid innings as Baltimore snapped a four-game losing streak to Seattle (13-20) to become the last team to reach double digit victories.
Jones is 8 for 19 in his last five games - including 4 for 8 in this series against his former team - since he was moved out of the leadoff spot.
While the Orioles haven't won a series since sweeping Boston from April 30-May 2, Seattle hasn't done so since taking two of three at Kansas City from April 26-28.
Ichiro Suzuki had two hits Wednesday for the Mariners, who are last in the AL with 109 runs.
Suzuki is 8 for 19 with three doubles against the Orioles this season. He's a lifetime .394 hitter versus Millwood.
