Olson Wins Number Five: O's Beat Twins, 3-2; The Jays On Tap...

In light of what I said about two weeks about the first part of June being very important and telling as to where the Orioles would stand for the rest of the season -- right now, needless to say -- they're doing fine.

With a record of 29-30, and still in last place in the AL East, the Orioles earned a very important series victory on Thursday as both Adam Jones homered, and Nick Markakis added a two-run shot as Baltimore beat Minnesota, 3-2.

Keeping in line of the growth of this in 2008, rookie Garrett Olson won his fifth game as he allowed two runs and eight hits through 6 1/3 innings in Baltimore's third win in four games. Although he got into trouble in the first part of the game, through guts and guile, he was able to hold off the Twins.

George Sherrill threw a scoreless ninth for his 20th save of the season.

The Baltimore Orioles next counter against a tough Toronto team that's 32-30 on the season and are fighting for a top spot in the AL East.

Matchups:

Tonight: Orioles' Brian Burres (4-5, 4.87) vs. Shaun Marcum (5-3, 2.63)
Saturday: Jeremy Guthrie (2-6, 3.58) vs. A.J. Burnett (5-5, 4.32)
Sunday: Radhames Liz (1-0, 3.38) vs. Roy Halladay (7-5, 2.94)

The Jays' strength this season as in the past has been their starting corps, and the Orioles will have it tough this series. Although the Orioles had a very respectable showing in Minnesota, they go up against a great young arm in Marcum on Friday, Burnett who has seemingly owned Baltimore on Saturday, and Halladay -- one of the best in the game -- on Sunday.

Needless to say, the offense needs to be on their game, and despite the Jays only being over two games above .500 along with losers of two in a row, Baltimore has a task on it's hands. Despite the Toronto offense being with Vernon Wells and a lack of power in their lineup, they will be a formidable challenge.

The good news is that the Baltimore offense has picked within the last week, and Adam Jones is starting to come around and show the promise that everyone in baseball has been raving about. As well, Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis have come out their slumps to contribute.

Now, the rest of the team needs to pick it up.