(My Sportsbook) - Tall Texan Jeff Niemann makes his 2009 debut in the Tampa Bay starting rotation tonight, when the Rays visit Camden Yards for the second of three games with the host Baltimore Orioles.

A 6-foot-9, 260-pound native of Houston, Niemann had a brief stint with the American League champions in 2008, appearing in five games and making two starts while allowing 18 hits and nine earned runs in 12 innings.

Overall, he was 2-2 in those appearances and struck out 14 batters while holding opponents to a .277 batting average.

He was projected to battle Jason Hammel for the fifth spot in the Tampa Bay rotation this spring, following the demotion to Triple-A of southpaw phenom David Price. Niemann officially won the battle when Hammel was dealt to Colorado just prior to the start of the season.

For the Orioles, righty Jeremy Guthrie hopes to get the same sort of run support he got in his opening start of the season on Monday.

The 30-year-old product of Roseburg, Oregon came out on top against the New York Yankees on Opening Day, winning a 10-5 decision after allowing seven hits and three runs in six innings.

He walked three and struck out eight in earning the 18th victory of his major- league career.

Guthrie reached double-digit wins for the first time last season, going 10-12 in 30 starts with one complete game and a 3.64 earned run average in 190 2/3 innings.

He pitched against the Rays four times in 2008, losing three times and getting a no decision while giving up 28 hits and 15 earned runs in 21 1/3 innings.

In Friday's series opener, Melvin Mora went 2-for-4 with three RBI as the Orioles took a 5-4 victory over the Rays.

Adam Jones had two hits and two runs scored while Nick Markakis added an RBI and a run scored for the Orioles.

Mark Hendrickson was solid in his start for Baltimore, as he gave up just one run on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of work.

The win snapped a 12-game losing streak by the O's against the Rays.

Evan Longoria had a solo home run and a two-run shot for the Rays, who had won their previous two games, while Dioner Navarro added a solo homer.

Tampa starter Andy Sonnanstine was charged with five runs on eight hits with four walks in just 4 2/3 innings of action.

The Rays dominated this series last season, winning 15 of the 18 matchups between the teams and compiling a 7-2 mark in Baltimore over that span.