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BASEBALL
: O's aim for sweep of KC
The Baltimore Orioles will try to pull off a very tough
task, as they go for a four-game road sweep over the Kansas City Royals this
afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.
For the Orioles, they will rest their chances for a victory on the left arm of
Brian Burres. Burres comes into this matchup in the midst of a minor slump,
losing his last two starts, including a 4-2 setback to Oakland on Tuesday. In
the loss, the southpaw surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits
in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Despite the recent setbacks, Burres has done a commendable job on the year,
posting a 3-3 record to go along with a solid 3.19 ERA.
As for the Royals they will send Brian Bannister to the mound, as he makes an
attempt to break his personal losing skid. Since starting the season with
three consecutive wins, the right-hander has dropped his last four outings,
including a 5-3 setback to Anaheim earlier this week.
Bannister was hit all over the field, as the Angels racked up 13 hits, scoring
five runs against 27-year-old in just 6 2/3 innings of work. With the loss
Bannister fell to an even 2-2 at home this year, and also saw his ERA rise to
2.96 at Kauffman Stadium.
Yesterday, Kevin Millar went 3-for-4, including a three-run home run, as the
Orioles outlasted the Royals, 6-5.
Luis Hernandez and Melvin Mora collected two hits apiece for the Orioles, who
have won three in a row on the heels of a five-game skid.
Baltimore starter Garrett Olson (2-0) got the win after pitching 5 1/3 innings
and only giving up three runs on eight hits. George Sherrill earned his 13th
save of the year by giving up a hit and a run in the ninth.
David DeJesus went 2-for-3 with a triple and scored twice for the Royals, who
have lost three in a row and five of their last six. Esteban German had a pair
of RBI and Billy Butler scored a run and knocked one in.
KC starter Brett Tomko (1-4) took the loss after going 5 1/3 innings and
giving up six runs on nine hits, while fanning eight.
Baltimore has now won 12 straight encounters with the Royals.
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