This weekend offers a visionary tale of the 2006 American League East race.
Boston, where the Yankees and Red Sox square off in a five-game series to determine the division champion, is the center of the baseball universe.
In Baltimore, two teams suffering through disappointing campaigns meet up in hopes of ending the season on a high note.
The Orioles entered Friday night 53-68, entrenched in fourth place, 19 games behind the division-leading Yankees. Toronto, meanwhile, sits third with a 65-56 mark.
But the Orioles? offense resembled that of a contender Friday, pounding Toronto starter Scott Downs for a 7-2 win before 22,679 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Don?t tell Melvin Mora to slow down, though.
Mora got the Orioles ahead early Friday night with his 13th home run, a two-run shot in the bottom of the first.
He also was in the middle of a second-inning rally. With a single through the hole between shortstop and third base, Mora plated both Ramon Hernandez and Brian Roberts amidst a string of five consecutive Orioles? singles.
Downs (6-2) lasted just 1.1 innings, and gave up six runs on nine hits.
Mora also played spectacular defense behind Orioles? starter Kris Benson, who picked up his 10th win. He had been stuck on nine wins since downing Philadelphia June 28.
Benson went seven innings, scattering six hits while striking out five.
He carried a shutout into the sixth. But with two outs, he served up back-to-back home runs to Toronto centerfielder Vernon Wells and third baseman Troy Glaus.
However, Benson was supported by an offense that put up three runs in both the first and second innings, and put together a 13-hit attack.
While the playoffs are out of the picture for the ninth-straight season, the Orioles aren?t ready to give in and run inexperienced minor league call-ups onto the field.
“We play a schedule in September that you cant just throw your young kids outthere and hope to win a ball game,” Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said. “We?re playing all contending teams.”
There has been one key lineup change, however. Rookie right fielder Nick Markakis has jumped from the bottom of the batting order to the No. 2 spot. It?s a move that was given much thought, but has worked out perfectly for Markakis and his manager.
“We were trying to find some kind of time we felt might be best, and I kind of thought New York might not be the best place,” said Perlozzo, who had a change of heart after sleeping on the decision.
“What the heck, why not.”
Markakis has rewarded his skipper?s confidence, and went 3-for-4 with two runs scored Friday night.
Since moving behind Brian Roberts in the order Wednesday, Markakis had gone 6-for-11 with two home runs.
“Who knows, he could be a 20 home run guy for you,” Perlozzo said. “I hate to put the pressure on him to do that, because I told him not to try to hit homers batting No. 2, but he hasn?t listened yet.”
Elsewhere, utility man David Newhan will start a rehab assignment with Bowie this weekend. Newhan was placed on the 60-day disabled list April 18 after breaking a bone in his right leg.
