Game 162 Recap-
CF Vernon Wells went 4 for 4 with 2 home runs and 5 rbi to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 10-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles Sunday at Camden Yards.Promising Jays RH Jesse Litsch(13-9,3.58) was outstanding, going 7 innings while allowing 3 hits and 1 run. He K-ed 5 and walked 1, using 106 pitches in his outing. He closed September with a 4-1 record.
Wells homered in the 2nd(solo) and 5th(3 run shot) while adding an rbi single in the 3rd to cap his big day. The Jays banged out 15 hits with SS Marco Scutaro adding 3.2b Joe Inglett scored 3 runs out of the leadoff spot, while 3b Scott Rolen and C Greg Zaun added 2 hits a apiece.
Baltimore’s 2nd half was about injuries and the team really had a problem at times finding pitchers to throw games. They lost 30 of 35 and all 12 series since August 17th. “The last six weeks were less than what we expect and what we want,” manager Dave Trembley said.The win total of 68 is the fewest since 2002.
RH Jeremy Guthrie(10-12,3.63) returned from a shoulder injury that kept him out for almost a month. He went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits. Guthrie said, “I felt pretty good. I was able to locate the fastball much better than I was the past couple of days. The breaking stuff was much better. I gave up a home run on the curveball, but I was pretty happy with the curveballs I threw.” His manager saw a shining light in this performance.”Well, on a positive note, it’s good that Guthrie is healthy. So we can leave and know that,” Trembley said.
Star of the Game-
Wells-Although he wishes his team was still playing, “It’s a good way to finish. Unfortunately, we’re finishing too early,” he said. “You live and you learn, and you try to get better for next year.”
Orioles Notes-
Aubrey Huff was named team MVP pregame…RF Nick Markakis had 3 hits…. Team closed at 5-20 on Sundays
