Message #76944

[2k6nats]

May 18, 2007 - RFK Stadium, 7:05

Steve Trachsel 1-3, 3.94 ERA	Jason Simontacchi 1-1, 5.56 ERA
Brian Roberts (2B) Nick Markakis (RF) Miguel Tejada (SS) Ramon Hernandez (C) Kevin Millar (1B) Melvin Mora (3B) Jay Payton (LF) Corey Patterson (CF) Steve Trachsel (P)	Felipe Lopez (2B) Cristian Guzman (SS) Ryan Zimmerman (3B) Ryan Church (LF) Austin Kearns (RF) Dmitri Young (1B) Brian Schneider (C) Ryan Langerhans (CF) Jason Simontacchi (P)

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The Orioles will hand the ball to Steve Trachsel  (1-3, 3.94 ERA), who is winless in his last four starts, to open the series.

The veteran right-hander has not received a decision in his last two appearances, which includes last Saturday's outing against the Boston Red Sox . Trachsel allowed four runs and five hits while walking four in 4 1-3 innings of a 13-4 loss. He has received a combined five support runs in his last four starts.

Washington will counter with Jason Simontacchi (1-1, 5.56), who is coming off his first victory since Sept. 20, 2003. He allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-4 win over the Florida Marlins  on Sunday.

The right-hander has made one relief appearance against Baltimore, and overall he is 3-1 with a 5.76 ERA in five starts and eight interleague appearances. Because Simontacchi missed the last two seasons recovering from shoulder surgery, this will be his first time facing the American League since June 17, 2004, when he pitched for St. Louis against Oakland.