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Waters fires gem as Orioles topple Blue Jays

Sep 17, 2008 - 3:56 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Chris Waters was slightly better than in his major league debut, and it paid off for the Baltimore Orioles.

Waters kept the Toronto Blue Jays guessing all night and finished in emphatic fashion by tossing a four-hitter as the Orioles cruised to a 2-0 victory on Tuesday.

Striking out three and walking two in his ninth career start, the 28-year-old Waters (3-3) recorded his complete game in the majors. This sterling effort was similar to Waters' sparkling debut in which he held the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to one hit over eight scoreless innings on August 5.

"I was pretty consistent with everything," Waters said. "Basically, I told (catcher Ramon Hernandez) that we'd just set up low and away and we'd throw two-seamers away until they made us change. But we didn't have to change too much tonight."

Baltimore, which had lost 17 of 21 coming in, posted its first shutout since blanking the Texas Rangers, 9-0, on August 9.

"(Waters) was really locating his sinker away like he did in Anaheim," Hernandez said. "He was really calm. He wasn't getting ahead early a lot of times, but when you get ahead, the opposing team gets more aggressive. When you make pitches, you're going to get quick outs."

Brian Roberts delivered a run-scoring double after Toronto starter Shaun Marcum walked Juan Castro to lead off the third, giving the Orioles a 1-0 edge.

Marcum (9-7), who then walked Nick Markakis, was removed from the game following a meeting with trainer George Poulis. The club later announced that he is suffering from right forearm numbness.

The 26-year-old starter already missed nearly six weeks this year due to elbow soreness. With only 11 games remaining, this likely marks the end of Marcum's season, which was marred by late struggles that included a demotion to Class AAA Syracuse in August.

"I don't have anything guaranteed for me next year," Marcum said. "I have to come in and pitch and show these guys I can be in the rotation next year."

Luke Scott belted a solo homer in the fourth off reliever John Parrish for the game's other run.

Toronto lost its third straight and had a six-game home winning streak ended. The Blue Jays had won seven of their previous eight games against the Orioles.

The Blue Jays (80-71) failed to notch a victory which would clinch at least a .500 finish. With a strong run, they still could post their best record since posting 88 wins in 1998.

"We certainly want to make a statement that we will be around next year," Toronto manager Cito Gaston said. "We'll be tough to beat."