Recap: Baltimore vs. Toronto

Sports Network | October 3, 2009

Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Mark Hendrickson pitched into the seventh inning, and Jeff Fiorentino knocked in two runs, as the Orioles made sure of avoiding a dubious mark with a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

With just one game remaining in the regular season, the Orioles (63-98) avoided their first 100-loss campaign since 1988.

Ty Wigginton added a pair of hits and an RBI for Baltimore, which has won three in a row since snapping its 13-game skid.

Hendrickson (6-5), who was drafted by the Blue Jays in 1997 and started his major league career with Toronto, made his 53rd appearance of the season but just his 11th start. The 6-foot-9 southpaw was charged with six hits and three runs over 6 1/3 innings and posted his first victory since July 11, also at Camden Yards and against the Blue Jays.

Travis Snider had a pair of hits and an RBI for the Blue Jays, who announced earlier in the day the firing of general manager J.P. Ricciardi. He was with the organization since 2001 and had one year left on his contract.

Toronto has dropped two straight since a six-game winning streak.

Scott Richmond (8-11), who had won his previous two starts, yielded seven hits and five runs over four innings.

Toronto went in front, 2-0, in the second, as Snider lifted a sacrifice fly and Randy Ruiz scored on a balk.

Fiorentino singled in a run in the bottom of the second and the Orioles scored four times in the fourth. Wigginton singled in a run and they loaded the bases later in the frame before Fiorentino's fielder's choice put the hosts ahead, 3-2. Guillermo Rodriguez had an RBI groundout and Fiorentino scored on a Brian Roberts base hit.

Cesar Izturis doubled in a run in the bottom of the sixth for Baltimore before Aaron Hill's base hit plated Snider in the seventh to account for the final margin.

Jim Johnson pitched the ninth inning to record his 10th save of the year.

Richmond fell to 3-1 lifetime against the Orioles..Baltimore is 23-50 since the All-Star break...Toronto is 9-8 against the O's this season.