Blue Jays try to take a Halladay versus Orioles

Sep 15, 2007, 14:49 GMT

- Right-hander Roy Halladay can snap a five-start winless skid today when the Toronto Blue Jays host the Baltimore Orioles in the middle game of a three-game series at Rogers Centre.

Halladay, a 30-year-old former first-round draft choice, is 0-2 with three no- decisions since his last win, a complete-game defeat of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 14 in Toronto.

He's gone at least eight innings in each start since -- including a nine-frame effort in Toronto's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Orioles on August 19 -- allowing 45 hits and 17 runs in 42 2/3 innings.

In his last outing, on September 10 at Detroit, he gave up 11 hits and three runs in 8 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays fell, 5-4.

Kirk Birkins will make his 15th appearance of the season for Baltimore, but just his second career start in today's game. His first career start came on September 3 in Tampa Bay and he got a no-decision after allowing four runs on six hits over four innings of work.

He has made three relief appearances since, allowing one run and three hits over four total frames. On the year, Birkins is 1-1 with a 7.27 ERA.

The left-hander has faced the Blue Jays four times out of the bullpen and is 1-0 after tossing a combined 3 2/3 scoreless frames against them.

On Friday, Tike Redman went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored as Baltimore topped Toronto, 6-2.

Aubrey Huff went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored, and Brian Roberts hit his 11th home run of the season for the Orioles, who have won two straight. Nick Markakis added two hits, an RBI and scored once, and Ramon Hernandez also drove in a run.

Brian Burres (6-5) hurled seven shutout innings, allowing eight hits and fanning four without a walk. It was the young left-hander's first win since July 28.

Jays hurler Jesse Litsch (5-9) yielded seven hits and four runs over three innings in the loss, his third loss in as many starts.

Aaron Hill went 2-for-4 with a double and a homer for the Blue Jays, who have lost six of seven. Hector Luna also homered, and both Vernon Wells and Reed Johnson had two hits in defeat.

Toronto has won seven of its 13 matchups with the Orioles this season and is 28-23 in the series since the start of the 2005 campaign.

© 2007 The Sports Network