American League Preview from The Sports Network
Sunday, July 1st
(All times Eastern)
Cleveland Indians (39-38) at Baltimore Orioles (42-35), 1:35 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Cleveland - Justin Masterson (4-7, 4.09)
Baltimore - Brian Matusz (5-9, 5.24)
(Sports Network) - Two second-place clubs will be looking to gain ground in
their respective divisions today as the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore
Orioles conclude their four-game series at Camden Yards.
After a split in the first two games, the Indians set a season-high in hits
for the second straight game to power their 11-5 victory in the third bout of
the series on Saturday. Shin-Soo Choo led the way by going 4-for-5 with a home
run, three RBI, and a walk for Cleveland.
Jose Lopez went 5-for-6 with three runs batted in and Asdrubal Cabrera
finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and a walk. Catcher Lou Marson was also locked
in as he went 4-for-5 with an RBI and three scored runs.
"I'm getting consistent at-bats, good opportunity and I feel good right now,"
Marson said. "I'm just trying to get quality at-bats and trying to see the
ball. I don't want to talk about it. I just want to keep swinging it."
Josh Tomlin (4-5) picked up the win for the Tribe by lasting six innings and
surrendering five earned runs.
Right-hander Justin Masterson will take the hill today for the Indians, who
come in 2 1/2 games behind the White Sox in the AL Central race.
Masterson was handed a loss on Tuesday after surrendering four earned runs on
seven hits in six innings versus the Yankees. The Indians' starter had allowed
only one earned run and struck out 24 batters in his three previous starts.
Masterson's ERA of 4.09 is the team's best among starters.
Masterson is 1-4 with a 6.88 ERA in away games this season. He is 4-3 with a
5.31 ERA in his career versus Baltimore.
The Orioles parted ways with two Class A players to add Jim Thome in an
attempt to bolster the offense. The 41-year old slugger could make his debut
with the team today. Thome was impressive with Philadelphia during interleague
play when given the opportunity to see more pitches as a designated hitter.
Center-fielder Adam Jones improved his team-best batting average to .300 in
Saturday's loss by going 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles. Chris
Davis got into the action as well with a three-run home run while Brian
Roberts and Matt Wieters drove in a run apiece. The addition of Thome could be
very useful for the Orioles as they try to match the red-hot offense of
Cleveland.
"I think it's exciting. Thome is a guy I loved watch play growing up, and I
had a lot of respect for," Davis said. "I'm excited to have him here not only
as a player, but as a mentor."
Baltimore southpaw Brian Matusz will have the challenge of stifling the
Indians' offense today. The lefty is going to have to snap out of his own
current slump to give his team a chance, however.
Matusz has lost four consecutive starts and has not completed the sixth inning
in any of them. The Orioles' pitcher gave up a career-worst 13 hits and five
runs to the Angels in five innings in his most recent start on Tuesday.
Matusz is 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two career starts versus the Indians.
Cleveland has won six of its last nine games at Camden Yards.
07/01 10:48:16 ET
|