BALTIMORE – Rodrigo Lopez took a three-hitter into the eighth inning, Melvin Mora and Nick Markakis each had an RBI, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Jamie Moyer and the Seattle Mariners 2-0 on Tuesday night.
The subject of trade talks in the days leading up to Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline, Lopez (8-11) allowed four singles in 7 2-3 innings. The right-hander struck out five, walked none and permitted only one runner past first base.
Lopez came in with a 6.57 ERA and had allowed a total of 20 hits in his last two starts.
Tim Byrdak got the final out in the eighth and Chris Ray worked the ninth for his 27th save.
Kenji Johjima had two hits for the Mariners (52-54), who were bidding to reach the .500 mark for the first time since July 3.
Moyer (6-10) pitched well, as is usually the case against the Orioles, but Lopez was better. Moyer gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings, walking three and striking out three.
The 43-year-old Moyer was 18-3 lifetime against Baltimore, including 2-0 this season.
The Orioles needed only two batters to take a 1-0 lead in the first. Brian Roberts singled and took second when right fielder Ichiro Suzuki misplayed the ball. Roberts then stole third and scored on a single by Mora.
Seattle didn’t get a man on until the fourth, when Adrian Beltre got a two-out infield single and took second on an errant throw by second baseman Roberts. Raul Ibanez then grounded out.
Baltimore went up 2-0 and chased Moyer in the seventh. Corey Patterson singled with one out and stole second before Fernando Tatis was walked intentionally so Moyer could face the left-handed hitting Markakis, who foiled the strategy with a ground-rule double.
Notes: The Orioles recalled RHP Winston Abreu from Triple-A Ottawa to fortify a tired bullpen and optioned RHP Eddy Rodriguez to the same club. Abreu was in his 11th season in the minors without ever playing in the majors. … Seattle needs a victory Wednesday to win the season series. The Mariners, who hold a 5-4 edge, were seeking to win a fourth straight in Camden Yards for the first time. … Suzuki went 0-for-4 and is 0-for-8 in the series.
AP-ES-08-01-06 2129EDT
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