(Sports Network) - Baltimore spot starter Mark Hendrickson can help the suddenly-surging Orioles (web | news) avoid a 100-loss season tonight, when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for the second of three games at Rogers Centre.

The Orioles, who had dropped 13 straight games before defeating Tampa Bay on Thursday, made it two wins in a row with a 13-7 win in the series opener with the Blue Jays on Friday.

Hendrickson, who's started just 10 times in 52 appearances this season, started against the Blue Jays on September 22 and picked up a no-decision after allowing four hits and two runs in six innings.

Another no-decision followed in his last start six days later, when he gave up three hits and three runs in six innings.

The Orioles lost both games.

Hendrickson, who is 3-7 in 17 career matchups with Toronto, pitched for the Blue Jays while breaking into the major leagues in 2002 and 2003, going 12-9 in 46 appearances -- 34 games -- over 195 innings.

He was a 20th-round draft pick of Toronto in 1997.

Meanwhile, the Jays announced Saturday morning that they have dismissed general manager J.P. Ricciardi, effective immediately. Vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager Alexander Anthopoulos will fill the role.

Ricciardi had one year left on his contract, but a disappointing 2009 season after three straight winning years likely sealed his fate. Toronto had won 87, 83 and 86 games the past three years, but entered Saturday's action with a record of just 75-85.

"This was a tough decision and a difficult one for me personally as I have enjoyed J.P.'s friendship and his perspective on the game," said Paul Beeston, acting President and CEO, in a release. "J.P. has put an incredible amount of effort into improving the team and he has brought along a number of great young players. However, I feel that it is time for a change and accordingly we have decided to move on."

For the Blue Jays, Canadian-born righty Scott Richmond can add to a career- best win total with a third straight triumph.

The British Columbia native won once in five starts as a first-year player last season with Toronto and was 6-10 this year before stringing together consecutive wins in his last two outings on September 23 and 28.

In those starts -- home with the Orioles and on the road at Boston -- Richmond combined to allow 11 hits and seven runs in 11 innings of 7-3 and 11-5 triumphs.

He is unbeaten in three career starts against Baltimore, winning all three while allowing 14 hits and five earned runs in 18 innings.

On Friday, Michael Aubrey had a grand slam and a two-run homer to lead the Orioles.

Nick Markakis went 3-for-4, scored twice and drove in two runs for Baltimore. Jason Berken (6-12), who last won on Sept. 15 against the Rays, got the win after going five innings and giving up four runs on five hits.

Edwin Encarnacion had a three-run homer for the Blue Jays, who had won nine of 10 entering play. Jose Bautista added a two-run blast and Randy Ruiz stroked a solo shot. Kyle Phillips also drove in a run in the setback. David Purcey (1-3) took the loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings of work.

Toronto is 9-7 against the O's this season.



Copyright 2009 The Sports Network
All rights reserved

 Email To Friend