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Moriarty9 · 11-01-2009, 02:41 PM

Francisco lost for season
O's rally off Pedro in fifth for 5-3 victory
April 8, 2011

BALTIMORE — Pedro Martinez was looking good until he wasn't and Ben Francisco will miss the rest of the season as the Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 5-3, at Camden Yards.

Francisco suffered a neck injury that will keep him out of the lineup for the rest of the season, though he will be healthy before Thanksgiving and ready to go come next spring.

The rightfielder was hurt making a diving catch, and was replaced in the field by Rick Ankiel. Francisco was hitless in nine at bats this year, walking once, scoring one run and striking out three times. He hit .276 with 19 home runs, 74 RBI, and 80 runs in 144 games last season for Tampa Bay.

Ankiel went 1-for-2 in Francisco's place at the plate.

Most of the offensive came from one swing of the bat by Aubrey Huff when the thirdbaseman hit a two-run home run off Darrell Rasner in the first inning, staking the Devil Rays to an early lead.

Martinez was doing a fine job on the mound early on, working around danger in the first inning and keeping Baltimore off the scoreboard through three innings.

Scott Podsednik hit a solo home run off Martinez in the fourth inning, narrowing Tampa Bay's lead to 3-1.

It was in the fifth inning that the wheels came off for Martinez as the Orioles put together four runs. Fernando Rodriguez led off with a double to left-center and moved up to third base on an Alex Bellemare single. Stephen Drew hit into a fielder's choice, allowing Rodriguez to score from third base, cutting Tampa Bay's lead to one run.

After walking Brandon Jones, Martinez battled Sizemore who took a 3-2 pitch into left-center for a RBI double, tying the game and putting the go-ahead run at third base. Mike Jacobs — a Devil Rays killer — hit a solid line drive to drive in two runs, capping off the scoring for Baltimore.

Martinez faced two batters in the sixth inning, giving up a double and a walk, before being pulled out of the game. He finished the night with five runs allowed on nine hits and four walks, striking out three, in five-plus innings.

With the left-handed dominant Orioles lineup, southpaw reliever David Price worked 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

John Meyers will be called up to Tampa Bay to fill Francisco's roster spot. Meyers hit .273 with two home runs, 12 RBI, 20 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 110 at bats with the Devil Rays last season. The 20-year-old was just 5-for-26 in AAA this spring.

11-01-2009, 02:41 PM	#676 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Francisco lost for season O's rally off Pedro in fifth for 5-3 victory April 8, 2011 BALTIMORE — Pedro Martinez was looking good until he wasn't and Ben Francisco will miss the rest of the season as the Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 5-3, at Camden Yards. Francisco suffered a neck injury that will keep him out of the lineup for the rest of the season, though he will be healthy before Thanksgiving and ready to go come next spring. The rightfielder was hurt making a diving catch, and was replaced in the field by Rick Ankiel. Francisco was hitless in nine at bats this year, walking once, scoring one run and striking out three times. He hit .276 with 19 home runs, 74 RBI, and 80 runs in 144 games last season for Tampa Bay. Ankiel went 1-for-2 in Francisco's place at the plate. Most of the offensive came from one swing of the bat by Aubrey Huff when the thirdbaseman hit a two-run home run off Darrell Rasner in the first inning, staking the Devil Rays to an early lead. Martinez was doing a fine job on the mound early on, working around danger in the first inning and keeping Baltimore off the scoreboard through three innings. Scott Podsednik hit a solo home run off Martinez in the fourth inning, narrowing Tampa Bay's lead to 3-1. It was in the fifth inning that the wheels came off for Martinez as the Orioles put together four runs. Fernando Rodriguez led off with a double to left-center and moved up to third base on an Alex Bellemare single. Stephen Drew hit into a fielder's choice, allowing Rodriguez to score from third base, cutting Tampa Bay's lead to one run. After walking Brandon Jones, Martinez battled Sizemore who took a 3-2 pitch into left-center for a RBI double, tying the game and putting the go-ahead run at third base. Mike Jacobs — a Devil Rays killer — hit a solid line drive to drive in two runs, capping off the scoring for Baltimore. Martinez faced two batters in the sixth inning, giving up a double and a walk, before being pulled out of the game. He finished the night with five runs allowed on nine hits and four walks, striking out three, in five-plus innings. With the left-handed dominant Orioles lineup, southpaw reliever David Price worked 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. John Meyers will be called up to Tampa Bay to fill Francisco's roster spot. Meyers hit .273 with two home runs, 12 RBI, 20 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 110 at bats with the Devil Rays last season. The 20-year-old was just 5-for-26 in AAA this spring.