W – Mark Hendrickson (6-5, 4.37) L – Scott Richmond (8-11, 5.52) SV – Jim Johnson (10)
The Orioles should go ahead and re-sign Hendrickson now. I think its a lock that he signs a one year deal in the offseason to remain an Oriole next season, and hes earned it. He pitched 6.1 innings last night, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts. Thats a quality start and the bullpen finished the job. Cla Meredith came in for Hendrickson and finished off the 7th inning. Danys Baez pitched a clean 8th and Jim Johnson got the save with a scoreless 9th. We have officially avoided 100 loses with the win, something I’m sure the players and coaches are glad of.
It was an early 2-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the 2nd. We cut the lead in half when Jeff Fiorentino singled in Lou Montanez after he doubled. The O’s took control in the 4th. Nick Markakis led off the inning with his 45th double and came in to score on Ty Wiggington’s single. Michael Aubrey walked and Montanez singled to load the bases. Back to back RBI ground outs by Fiorentino and Guillermo Rodriguez gave us a two run lead and an RBI single by Brian Roberts made it three. Rodriguez and Roberts both walked in the 6th and Rodriguez scored when Cesar Izturis doubled to give us an insurance run.
Player of the game: Ty Wiggington (2-4, R, RBI, double (19) (.273 AVG))
The opening day starter takes the mound for the last game of the season. Jeremy Guthrie (10-17, 5.05) faces off against Ricky Romero (13-9, 4.26) in the final game of a long season.
