Final Count: Players 7, Owners 3

The Baltimore Orioles beat pitcher Arthur Rhodes in salary arbitration, giving players a final margin over owners of 7-3, their best percentage ever.

This marked the first winning year for players since they went 14-10 in 1990 and just their sixth winning record in 21 years of arbitration.

Arbitrator Robert Light, who heard the case Monday, gave Rhodes the team’s offer of a $25,000 raise to $300,000. The pitched had asked for $675,000 after going 2-5 with a 6.21 ERA in nine starts and 10 relief appearances.

After arguing their case before arbitrator Ira Jaffe, shortstop John Valentin and Boston agreed to a one-year contract worth $2,672,500, up from $637,500 last season. Valentin had asked for $2.75 million after hitting .298 with 27 homers and 102 RBIs, and Boston had offered $2.2 million.