Jeff Fiorentino's last big league hit wasn't even on this continent.
It came March 26, 2008, when the outfielder was with the Oakland Athletics and they played the Boston Red Sox in a season-opening series in Japan.
That was his last game in the majors until this month, when he was recalled by the Orioles, his original franchise, who claimed him off waivers from the A's last June.
On Sunday, Fiorentino made his first big league start since Sept. 30, 2006 - during his first stint with the Orioles - and he made the most of it.
He hit two RBI singles, walked once and scored two runs as the Orioles beat the Texas Rangers, 7-0.
"I think every at-bat I came up there today, I had somebody on base," Fiorentino said. "Every at-bat, I was able to help."
Orioles manager Dave Trembley was most impressed with Fiorentino's first plate appearance against Texas left-hander Derek Holland. With two outs and a full count in the second inning, Fiorentino fouled off a pitch and took the next one for ball four to keep the inning alive.
Chad Moeller followed with a two-run double that proved to be the game-winner.
"That was the key at-bat in the game, his walk, I thought," Trembley said. "He hung in there. We're all happy for him. He's coming off a very good year in Triple-A. He knows how to handle the bat, and he had a very nice game."
Fiorentino, a 2004 third-round pick by the Orioles, had fallen off the club's radar. But he batted .312 with 12 homers in 102 games at Triple-A Norfolk this year, earning a September promotion.
"Every day is important to you. You have 162 games up here, 144 down there," Fiorentino said. "You have to do your best in every single one."
Calling up five
Once the minor league season ends today, the Orioles are expected to add five players to the big league roster: right-handers Koji Uehara and Bob McCrory, left-hander Chris Waters, infielder Justin Turner and catcher Guillermo Rodriguez.
Uehara, who has been rehabbing his injured elbow in Sarasota, Fla., was expected to throw another side session on Sunday and may not join the team until Wednesday in Boston.
The other four, all at Triple-A Norfolk, will be with the Orioles as they start a two-game series Tuesday at Fenway Park. The three pitchers will be used in relief, including Uehara, who started 12 games for the Orioles this season.
