Scott powers Orioles past Willis, Tigers

5/30/2009

BALTIMORE - The game began with the sizable crowd buzzing about Matt Wieters, who was about to make his much-anticipated major league debut.

Most of the 42,704 fans left the stadium talking about Luke Scott and Wieters' batterymate, Brad Bergesen.

Scott extended his recent power surge with a grand slam and a solo shot off Dontrelle Willis, and the surging Baltimore Orioles received a fine pitching performance from Bergesen in a 7-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers Friday night.

Wieters went 0-for-4, the only Baltimore starter without a hit.

In the fifth, Scott hit a drive over the right-field scoreboard to become the first Oriole to have successive multihomer games since Albert Belle in 2000.

Scott, a left-handed batter, usually fares better against righties. But he had no trouble against the left-handed throwing Willis (1-2).

Willis allowed seven runs and 10 hits, his poorest outing in four starts since getting off the disabled list on May 13.

"Dontrelle didn't have his good stuff," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Willis said, "I had a tough time getting my rhythm. When I got my rhythm, it was too late. The damage was done."

Much of the pregame hype surrounded Wieters, but another 23-year-old - Bergesen - was far more impressive. The right-hander allowed two runs and seven hits over eight-plus innings to earn his first win in seven starts since his debut on April 21.