Orioles-Royals Preview

5/11/2008 12:49 AM

By JON PALMIERI
STATS Editor

A road trip that looked to be a big disappointment for the Baltimore Orioles may not end that way after all.

They owe the Kansas City Royals a large debt of gratitude for that.

The Orioles seek their 13th straight win over the Royals and their first four-game road sweep in nearly 13 years Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Baltimore (19-18) won the opener of its 10-game road trip against the Los Angeles Angels before losing the final two games of that series. The Orioles were then swept in a three-game set by Oakland before starting a four-game series Thursday against the Royals (15-21).

Baltimore rode Daniel Cabrera's 3-hitter to a 4-1 victory in the opener before home runs by Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff keyed a 7-4 win on Friday. Then, Kevin Millar hit a three-run homer to help the Orioles beat the Royals 6-5 on a rainy Saturday night.

"We haven't swung the bats like we're capable as far as batting average, but I think this team has got some big hits and some timely hits when we need to,'' Millar said. "I think we've done a good job of clawing and scratching through the struggles.''

Saturday's win was Baltimore's 12th straight against Kansas City and 19th in 22 games in the series since the start of the 2005 season. A victory Sunday would give the Orioles their first four-game road sweep since July 6-9, 1995, against the Chicago White Sox.

The Royals haven't defeated Baltimore since a 7-5 home victory on July 25, 2006.

Saturday's win came with a price for the Orioles, who could be without All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts and catcher Ramon Hernandez. Roberts left in the bottom of the first inning with a bruised left foot while Hernandez was a late scratch with soreness in his left wrist. Both are day-to-day.

One key to Baltimore's surprising success has been reliever Jim Johnson. Called up from the minors on April 12, Johnson has allowed two earned runs and 10 hits in 21 1-3 innings (0.84 ERA).

Johnson entered Saturday's game in the seventh inning with runners on the corners and no out, then struck out Billy Butler and Mark Grudzielanek and retired Jose Guillen on a groundout to end the threat.

"He's stepped up for us and has down an incredible job," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "The team has confidence in him and I'm not afraid to put him in there in the middle of an inning.''

Kansas City has lost three straight and five of six to fall a season-high six games under .500. The Royals are a major league-worst 6-12 at home.

Baltimore starter Brian Burres (3-3, 3.19 ERA) looks to avoid his third straight defeat. The left-hander has lost his last two starts after going 3-0 in his first five outings. He gave up four runs - three earned - and eight hits over 5 1-3 innings Tuesday in a 4-2 loss at Oakland.

This will be Burres' first start against the Royals. He pitched one scoreless inning in relief against them last season.

Struggling Brian Bannister (3-4, 4.46) tries to get back on track for Kansas City. The right-hander was superb in his first three starts, going 3-0 with an 0.86 ERA. Since then, he has lost a career-high four straight starts while compiling an 8.02 ERA.

He had his second consecutive rough outing Tuesday in a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, giving up five runs and a career-high 13 hits in 6 2-3 innings.