Music: {allcanada} MCGOWAN LOOKS TO GET BACK TO WIN COLUMN AS JAYS HOST ORIOLES

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

{allcanada} MCGOWAN LOOKS TO GET BACK TO WIN COLUMN AS JAYS HOST ORIOLES

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After having earned his first victory since 2008 in his first start of the 2014 season, Dustin McGowan will be looking to get the better of the Orioles once more as the Blue Jays host their division rivals at Rogers Centre on Wednesday.

In facing Baltimore nearly two weeks ago, McGowan was making just his sixth start since his last previous victory on June 22, 2008 and hurled 6 1/3 scoreless innings. He also moved to 1-3 with a 5.98 ERA in his career against the Orioles, facing them 14 times with seven starts.

"I think the most important thing is just feeling good," said McGowan, who made 25 relief appearances last season without a decision. "I got the opportunity to pitch again and that's all I could ask for. Just trying to make the best of it."

The 32-year-old righty was not as lucky last Thursday in a no-decision against Minnesota, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks in just four innings of his team's 9-5 defeat. That moved McGowan's season ERA to 4.85 with a 1-1 record.

Toronto used a trio of three-run homers to win Tuesday's opener 9-3. Edwin Encarnacion hit a game-tying blast in the sixth frame, while Brett Lawrie and Melky Cabrera both went deep in the eighth frame to snap a tie game.

"We have a very talented team and we know we can hit," Encarnacion said. "So when we start hitting it's going to be great to watch this team play."

Toronto has won three of its last four, while Baltimore has dropped three of four on the heels of winning three straight.

Nelson Cruz slugged a three-run homer in defeat, while Chris Davis went 0- for-4 but drew a walk to reach base safely in a career-high 18th straight game.

The Orioles were without catcher Matt Wieters on Tuesday due to right forearm soreness, though he hopes to return to action tonight.

The Blue Jays have won three of four versus the Orioles this season.

One of Chris Tillman's best performances this season also resulted in his only loss.

The Baltimore hurler will try to avenge that setback on Wednesday night as the Orioles resume a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tillman, a 16-game winner last season, is 2-1 with a 1.71 earned run average through four starts, with that lone defeat coming on April 11 at home versus Toronto.

The right-hander was handed a 2-0 setback despite both runs he allowed over eight innings coming unearned. The Blue Jays got the runs off him in the fourth inning, a frame that saw third baseman Jonathan Schoop commit a pair of throwing errors.

Tillman fell to 3-4 with a 3.42 ERA in his career versus Toronto, though he earned praise after the outing.

"That was one of the best I've ever seen Tillman throw," said teammate Adam Jones. "He threw a tremendous ball."

Tillman returned to the win column on Friday versus Boston despite lasting just five innings. The 26-year-old was charged with three runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out five.

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