Baltimore @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2012 ) Baltimore 7, LA Angels 9

Mike Trout added to his MVP campaign highlight reel on Thursday and helped the Los Angeles Angels nip a two-game losing streak. The Baltimore Orioles were the victims of Trout and company and are stumbling into the All-Star break. Trout did not have an extra-base hit but managed to impact the game with two sacrifice flies, three stolen bases and a pair of runs scored as his speed caused havoc for the Orioles.

Trout got plenty of help in the 9-7 victory, with Kendrys Morales chipping in three RBIs and the bullpen stepping up. The Orioles have to have some concerns about their pitching staff, which has allowed an average of 7.3 runs over the last 10 games. Baltimore took a series at Seattle earlier in the week but has lost 11 of its last 16 overall. The Angels are trying to take advantage of a slump by the AL West-leading Texas Rangers and have pulled to within four games of first place.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FSW (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (0-0, 2.31 ERA) vs. Angels LH C.J. Wilson (9-4, 2.33 ERA)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter decided to give Gonzalez his first major league start, bypassing left-hander Dana Eveland, who was plucked out of the bullpen for a start last Saturday. Gonzalez has made three relief appearances but has pitched only once in four weeks, allowing one run on four hits in 4 1/3 innings vs. Cleveland on Sunday. He grew up less than an hour away from Anaheim.

Wilson has not lost since May 17 and has allowed one or no earned runs in eight of his last nine starts. The left-hander struggled with his command in his last start, issuing five walks in five innings, but managed to limit the damage to one earned run and three hits in a no-decision. Wilson surrendered one run in seven innings to earn a win at Baltimore on June 26, striking out two and walking a pair.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Orioles RH Jason Hammel, who was a candidate for the final spot on the AL All-Star roster, missed out as the fans selected Rangers RHP Yu Darvish in a vote concluded Thursday. Hammel finished third in the voting. Angels closer Ernesto Frieri finished fifth.

2. Trout leads the AL with a .348 batting average and has stolen 26 bases in 29 attempts.

3. Los Angeles RH Dan Haren (back) was placed on the disabled list Thursday for the first time in his career.