Tigers at Orioles
Muddling through their worst 25-game start since going 0-21 to open the 1988 season, the Baltimore Orioles snapped a more modest skid in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers. After halting a five-game slide Friday, Baltimore has a chance to win back-to-back games for only the second time this season in Saturday's middle game.
Pedro Alvarez belted a pair of homers and Manny Machado added a solo shot as the Orioles rolled to a 6-0 victory in the series opener for only their second win in the last 13 games. It was the first shutout win of the year for Baltimore, which was battered for 23 runs in a three-game sweep in Detroit last week. The Tigers scored 13 runs at Pittsburgh in the opener of their six-game road trip but have seen their offense dry up in losing three in a row. Detroit managed two hits in Friday's loss -- its second straight by shutout -- and has not scored in the last 22 innings.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (2-1, 3.13 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (1-3, 3.60)
Liriano permitted only two hits last time out against the Kansas City Royals but was charged with the loss after a reliever served up a grand slam two batters after he departed. He beat the Orioles in his previous turn, striking out a season-high seven and permitting two runs and five hits over five innings. Liriano has been unable to solve Orioles center field Adam Jones, who is 10-for-27 with three homers against him.
Cashner's string of three straight quality starts was halted last time out when he was touched for four runs and eight hits over six innings in a home loss to Cleveland. He also took the loss at Detroit in his previous turn after giving up three runs and seven hits in six innings. Cashner has been victimized by the long ball, surrendering six homers in his five starts, including a two-run shot to Detroit's Victor Martinez.
WALK-OFFS
1. Machado has homered six times in the past eight games, with three coming against Detroit.
2. Tigers OF JaCoby Jones is 0-for-8 in his last three since his seven-game hitting streak was snapped.
3. Orioles LH Richard Bleier pitched a scoreless inning Friday to lower his ERA to 0.54.