Justin Duchscherer, fresh off a bizarre start in which he couldn't shake off a Custian clank and gave up five straight hits, only to settle down and earn the win, gets the call for Oakland tonight against the left-handed stylings of Brian Burres. The A's lineup has a little different look tonight, with Mark Ellis (.228) dropped down to #7 and two lefties allowed to see the light of day against an opposing southpaw. Is Chris Denorfia not 100% healthy, or has he fallen behind Rajai Davis on the "righty CFer" depth chart?
Today's "fun fact": When he makes his start on Wednesday, Joe Blanton will be on pace to finish the season 9-23 with a 3.88 ERA. In 1980, A's right-hander Brian Kingman finished the season 8-20 with a 3.83 ERA. Aren't "fun facts" fun?
The lineups:
ORIOLES:
Roberts - 2B
Mora - 3B
Markakis - RF
Huff - DH
Millar - 1B
Scott - LF
Jones - CF
Quiroz (I've eaten there) - C
Hernandez - SS
A'S:
Suzuki - C
Barton - 1B
Thomas - DH
Cust - Left "Field"
Brown - RF
Crosby - SS
Ellis - 2B
Murphy - 3B
Davis - CF
