Angels open six-game trip in Baltimore

— -- BALTIMORE -- The first-place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim begin a six-game trip with a 2 1/2 game lead over Oakland in the American League West. The Angels have lost four of their last six games, but Oakland lost five times in that span. Anaheim's Jarrod Washburn (6-7, 3.38 ERA) is 0-3 in his last four starts, but the lefthander has received just one run in each of those losses. Washburn gave up three earned runs in all four of those starts and pitched at least 6 1/3 innings. He is 4-2 in eight career games, including seven starts, against the Orioles and is 5-1 on the road this season. Baltimore counters with Eric DuBose (1-0, 5.19), who will be making his second start of the season. He surrendered only one hit in 6 2/3 innings in an August 17 win at Oakland. DuBose has been put into the rotation because of a back injury to Daniel Cabrera. The Orioles have lost three straight games and dropped eight games out of the American League wild card race.