Cleveland @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jul 14, 2011 ) Cleveland 8, Baltimore 4
THE STORY: With manager Buck Showalter returning from a one-game suspension, the Baltimore Orioles will try to break their eight-game losing streak when they host the Cleveland Indians in the second of a four-game series on Friday. Showalter missed Thursday’s 8-4 loss due to his role in last Friday’s bench-clearing brawl at Fenway Park. While the Orioles remain in the American League East basement thanks to their woeful pitching staff, the Indians moved into a first-place tie with the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. Cleveland is seeking its first division title since 2007.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN 2, STO
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jake Arrieta (9-6, 4.90 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (10-4, 3.81 ERA)
Arrieta has been hit hard in his last three starts, failing to last more than five innings in any outing and posting a 7.54 ERA. In his only start against Cleveland last year, he was touched for six runs - five earned - in six innings. Opponents are batting just .242 against him, but Arrieta has been hurt by poor control (48 walks).
Tomlin has allowed three or fewer earned runs in five straight outings. He is only the second major-league pitcher to win at least 12 of the first 15 home starts of his career. Tomlin has been less impressive on the road, posting a 3-3 mark with a 4.35 ERA this season. He is 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA in two career starts against the Orioles.
ABOUT THE ORIOLES (36-53): Closer Kevin Gregg and reliever Michael Gonzalez remain eligible while they appeal their suspensions for their involvement in incidents that took place last weekend at Fenway Park. Gregg received a four-game suspension and a $2,500 fine, while Gonzalez was suspended three games and fined $1,500. Each tossed one scoreless inning Thursday. Right fielder Nick Markakis has an 11-game hitting streak at Camden Yards after going 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs Thursday.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (48-42): Carlos Santana’s first-inning homer Thursday into the center-field bleachers was his fourth in the last 12 games and 14th overall this season. Cleveland received seven hits from the top five batters in its lineup. Rookie third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall returned to the lineup after getting hit in the face with a fastball last week. He went 0-for-3.
FINAL PITCH: Indians starter Fausto Carmona threw a simulated game at Camden Yards on Thursday and pronounced himself ready to pitch again. Carmona (strained quadriceps) has been on the disabled list since July 3. If he passes a few more drills, he’ll start Monday against the Minnesota Twins.