Blue Jays pound O's to finish season Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Vernon Wells went 4-for-4, homered twice and
drove in five runs, and the Toronto Blue Jays pounded the Baltimore Orioles,
10-1, in the regular-season finale for both clubs.
Lyle Overbay also homered for the Blue Jays (86-76), who finished with a
51-37 mark under Cito Gaston, the former Toronto manager who replaced John
Gibbons. Gibbons was fired on June 20 after a 35-39 start by Toronto.
"It was nice to finish with a win today and go ten games over .500," said
Gaston, who signed a contract extension last week that runs throu... More...
Southpaw Brian Matusz tossed three hitless innings for the Surprise Rafters on Saturday afternoon. It was the pitcher's first pro appearances. Matusz, 21, was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft. He threw 45 pitches (26 strikes) on Saturday, walked one, and struck out one.
Our View:Matusz was considered a solid, safe pick by the Orioles. We don't expect a David Price-like ascent through the minors next year, but the Orioles won't likely hold the former University of San Diego star back too much. Scouts vary a bit on his potential, but you don't draft a guy at No. 4 if you don't think he can be an ace.
The Baltimore Orioles are going to enter into discussions with outfielder Nick Markakis on a contract extension this winter, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Our View:Markakis is one of the top young outfielders in baseball, hitting .306 with 20 home runs, 87 RBI and 10 stolen bases. Those numbers should only increase, so locking Markakis into a contract now would be a wise move for the Orioles.
Jamie Walker does not need to undergo surgery on his left elbow, according to the Baltimore Sun. He spent the past two days in Birmingham, Alabama, getting examined by Dr. James Andrews. Phil Tannenbaum (his agent) said, "Walker had his second appointment with Dr. Andrews today, and Dr. Andrews gave him a clean bill of health. He prescribed a little bit of rest and some exercises, and Walker should be ready to go for spring training."
Our View:This is good news for the 37-year-old reliever, who is entering the final season of a three-year, $12 million deal he signed in November 2006.
