Fiorentino Comes Up Big

Notebook

Outfielder Hits Two Rbi Singles, Scores Two Runs

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.

Even though center fielder Adam Jones is sidelined with an ankle injury, Trembley said the club will not be promoting an outfielder, saying Fiorentino, Luke Scott and Robert Andino could play in the outfield.

Trembley, however, wanted a third catcher, to give him more flexibility in pinch-hit situations and to help with all of the extra arms in the bullpen.

Rodriguez, 31, played in 39 games with the San Francisco Giants in 2007. McCrory, 27, pitched in three games with the Orioles this year and Waters, 29, started 11 games for the Orioles in 2008. Turner, 24, would be making his big league debut.

Passing on free passes

There are theories, but neither right fielder Nick Markakis nor Trembley knows exactly why Markakis has experienced such a drastic decline in walks this year. He has 44 walks this season compared to 99 in 2008.

"I can't explain it," Markakis said. "It's hard to know why. Maybe the pitchers are around the plate more. I could be swinging at more pitches. But overall, I couldn't tell you why. I feel the same up there. I feel like I've been taking the same approach."

Trembley noted how Markakis has "hit a lot earlier in the count this year than he did last year." The manager also said Markakis hasn't had "adequate protection" in the order, and has shown a tendency to open up his strike zone to adjust to the umpire's strike zone.

Markakis is fourth on the team in walks, two behind Nolan Reimold, who didn't make his big league debut this season until May 14.

"If the ball's around the zone, I'm going to swing," Markakis said. "I'm swinging the bat more, putting more balls in play. If I wasn't hitting or putting balls in play, then I'd start worrying. It evens out. As long as you get on base, it doesn't really matter how you get there."

Around the horn

Brian Roberts batted leadoff Sunday after hitting third the previous two games. Trembley said he may use Roberts, his normal leadoff hitter, at third again this season if necessary. ... The Orioles hadn't won a series finale at home against the American League West until Sunday's victory over the Rangers. They were 0-6 at home and 2-8 in series finales overall against the AL West.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this article.