The Baltimore Orioles sustained a slew of injuries that shuffled the lineup like a fresh deck of cards.
Having already removed Javy Lopez before Saturday?s game due to back spasms, the Orioles lost first baseman Kevin Millar when he was hit by a pitch on the right hand. All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada is playing with an injured left knee, and second baseman Brian Roberts is on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain.
The Orioles fought off a progression of difficult circumstances, but the club stranded eight runners and fell to the Seattle Mariners, 4-3, before 32,421 fans at Camden Yards in the series finale on Sunday.
When asked if he might consider tossing a pitcher in the lineup as a pinch-hitter, Oriole manager Sam Perlozzo jokingly told the media: “Not at all. But can any of you guys play?”
Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first, and Jeff Conine added a solo homer in the second.
Seattle responded with three runs in the fifth, including a two-run double by CarlEverett that scored Raul Ibanez and Richie Sexson for a 4-3 advantage.
Orioles? starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez went six innings, allowed four runs and struck out two.
“I had one bad inning but I just have to go out there and continue to do my best. As long as I?m healthy, I have a chance to do well,” Lopez said.
Jamie Moyer, the former Oriole, started for Seattle and improved to 17-3 in 29 games against his former team.
Because of injuries, Tejada was the designated hitter Sunday. Chris Gomez was at second base. And newly acquired Brandon Fahey, from Triple-A Ottawa, played shortstop. His father played for the Washington Senators.
At Ottawa, Fahey was hitting .279 with a double, triple and three RBIs in 20 games. He left Ottawa at 3 a.m. for a 6:15 a.m. flight, allowing extra time to pass through customs.
“I still can?t believe I made it here,” said Fahey, who got his first Major League hit in the bottom of the third. “Once I heard the news, it definitely surprised the heck out of me. I can?t even think clearly now, to be honest. I wanted to get the job done so bad today. It was an unbelievable experience.”
