Post-game Notes: Guthrie and O's top Twins

Two in a row - Jeremy Guthrie has now won back-to-back starts vs. Chicago and Minnesota. Tonight he gave up just one run and six hits over seven innings. He threw 112 pitches, 72 for strikes and is 9-12, 5.26 on the year. Guthrie did not walk a batter for the fourth time this year and allowed 2ER or less for the sixth time. Guthrie, who has won two straight starts for the third time this year, is 2-0, 1.29 over the last two starts. Strange stat - Jeremy Guthrie is 4-1, 2.88 this year in five road starts vs. AL Central opponents. His only loss came on August 5th at Detroit when Edwin Jackson held the O's scoreless through eight. The O's finished 4-5 on this road trip to Tampa, Chicago and Minnesota. They lost the first two games of the trip. They are 22-44 on the road on the year. Chad Moeller, who entered this game, 1 for 8 on this road trip, went 2 for 2 with two walks tonight. He had an RBI double and also drew a bases-loaded walk. His batting average increased from .203 to .227. Pie for everyone - Felix Pie reached base three times in four plate appearances with a solo homer and two walks. He crushed a solo shot to center in the 4th and that was his 5th home run of the year. Pie is batting .387 (12 for 31) over his last 13 games. He went 8 for 23 with two homers and 3 RBI on the road trip. Cesar Izturis, who had just four hits in his previous 26 at bats, went 2 for 5 with a run scored. He went 6 for 31 on the road trip. Saying goodbye - The O's played their final game at the Metrodome tonight. They finish with a 64-73 record all-time there. It's the site where Cal Ripken Jr. picked up his 3,000th career hit on April 15, 2000 off Hector Carrasco. The O's finished the road trip winning four of nine games. They played five one-run games on the trip, going 2-3 in those game. When they scored five runs or more on the trip, they were 4-1. The O's lost 2 of 3 to Minnesota, but out-scored the Twins 12-10 in the series. The O's win the season series, three wins to two over Minnesota. It's their first season series win over the Twins since going 5-1 in 2002. The O's improved to 15-15 vs. the AL Central and are now 41-12 when they out-hit their opponent. The O's bullpen gave up just 6ER in 25 2/3 on the road trip for an ERA of 2.10.