Blue Jays pound lowly Orioles in season finale

The Toronto Blue Jays used their season finale as a form of batting practice, hammering the Orioles 10-1 on Sunday in Baltimore.

Vernon Wells led the Jays offensively, going 4-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and five RBI.

The veteran centrefielder smacked a solo shot in the second inning, added an RBI single in the third, and a three-run homer in the fifth.

It was the 18th career multi-homer game for Wells, who reached 20 home runs in a season for the sixth time in his last seven years.

"It's a good way to finish. Unfortunately, we're finishing too early," said Wells. "You live and you learn, and you try to get better for next year."

Starting pitcher Jesse Litsch (13-9) concluded a solid season, surrendering only one run and three hits in seven innings. Although Litsch endured some tough stretches this season, the right-hander had a terrific September, posting a 4-1 record.

"It's good going into next year, not just for me but for all of us," Litsch said. "We put up, what, I don't know how many hits, but 10 runs is always big to end the season."

The Jays (86-76) also received a home run from first baseman Lyle Overbay, and Marco Scutaro had three hits on the day.

Toronto went 12-6 against the lowly Orioles (68-93), handing the struggling franchise its 11th loss in 12 games.

Baltimore's 68 wins are the team's fewest since 2002.

Nick Markakis had three hits and Melvin Mora equaled a career high by registering his 104th RBI of the season for the Orioles.

Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (10-12), returning to the lineup after missing almost a month with a shoulder injury, was tagged for three runs and six hits in only four innings.