Guthrie Squares Off Against Germano at Petco Park

Padres On Top

Jeremy Guthrie and Justin Germano are both having excellent rookie seasons. One of them, though, is probably enjoying it much more than the other.

Guthrie will try to help the Baltimore Orioles snap a nine-game losing streak Wednesday night when they continue a three-game series against the first-place San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Oddsmakers have made San Diego -135 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for todays game, the over/under has been set at 7 total runs (Matchup). Our public betting information shows that 57% of bets for this game have been placed on San Diego -135 (View MLB Bet Percentages).

Guthrie (3-1, 2.57 ERA) has been one of the few bright spots in another disappointing season for the Orioles (29-41).

Acquired off waivers from Cleveland on Jan. 29, the right-hander would be a contender for AL rookie of the year with any help from his teammates. He has pitched very well since moving into the rotation on April 24, posting a 1.71 ERA in nine starts, but only has two wins during that span.

Guthrie had another strong performance Thursday against Washington, allowing one run and four hits over seven innings while walking two and striking out five before leaving without a decision.

He hasn’t permitted more than three runs in any of his nine starts while lasting at least seven innings in seven consecutive appearances. The Orioles’ bullpen, however, has failed to hold four of his leads.

Germano (5-0, 2.36) broke into the majors with the Padres in 2004 and appeared in two games for Cincinnati last season, but is still classified as a rookie.

The right-hander is 5-0 in seven starts since being promoted from Triple-A Portland on May 8 to replace then-injured Clay Hensley.

Germano allowed three hits in six scoreless innings, walked one and struck out four Thursday in a 7-1 victory at Tampa Bay.

He credits teammate and four-time NL Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux with helping him.

"I pretty much shadow him. Just follow him around and try and get any kind of information I can out of him," Germano said. "He comes up to me, too. And if he sees something, he gives me a little bit of advice. What a great guy to have on our team."

The Orioles lost for the 14th time in 16 games and for the first time under interim manager Dave Trembley on Tuesday, 12-6.

Trembley replaced Sam Perlozzo, who was fired Monday after Baltimore tumbled into last place in the AL East during a 1-8 homestand.

"I thought our approach was a lot better, but the results were not what we were looking for," Trembley said.

The nine-game skid is the longest for the Orioles since they dropped 12 in a row Aug. 16-28, 2004.

Khalil Greene had four hits and three RBIs and Marcus Giles hit a three-run homer Tuesday for San Diego (41-28), which has won three straight and five of six.

Ace Jake Peavy won his ninth game to move into a tie with Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels and the Dodgers’ Brad Penny for the NL lead in victories.

"It’s nice to put a three-spot on the board for Peav," Giles said. "I’m not a gambling man, but I like our chances with a 3-0 lead and Peavy on the mound."

The Padres have scored 23 runs in their last two games after scoring one in each of their previous two contests.

The six runs allowed Tuesday by San Diego matched the most it has surrendered at home this season. The Padres lead the majors in overall ERA (2.97) and at home (2.46).