ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- Lou Piniella 's tenure as manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays ended with what ultimately drove him from the job - a loss.

The Devil Rays sent out Piniella with a season-ending 6-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles , who hit three homers in the conclusion to their disappointing campaign.

On Friday, the 62-year-old Piniella completed a negotiated $2.2 million buyout of his contract that will end his stint with his hometown team and allow him to pursue other managerial openings. He had one year remaining on his deal.

"Hopefully, having a change of leadership and ownership doesn't hurt the team," said second baseman Jorge Cantu , who was voted team MVP by the writers covering the club. "We really have something going on here."

"We've got a solid core of young players, but the question is will it come together next year," outfielder Aubrey Huff said. "It seems that is always the question every year here."

In three years with the Devil Rays , Piniella lost 90-plus games each season, a total he had not reached in 16 previous years managing the New York Yankees , Cincinnati and Seattle.

This season, Piniella publicly blasted management, which refused to boost the payroll above $30 million and stocked the Devil Rays with young, inexperienced players. Despite a season-ending four-game skid, the team was 39-34 after the All-Star break, which brought a tear to Piniella's eye.

"The success the team has had here in the second half, it's something this organization can definitely draw from," he said. "There are some pieces here, there is no question about that. And the fact of the matter is they are getting used to winning, which is probably the most important ingredient."

"What everyone has been waiting for is here now," said outfielder Jonny Gomes , who plays with the same fire with which Piniella managed. "We've got a great core of young terrific talent here. If we just run the team out and play like we have in the second half every day, I think a lot of good things can happen."

When Piniella delivered the lineup card to the umpires before the game, he received an ovation from the crowd of 17,450 at Tropicana Field. He tipped his cap in response, then watched his Devil Rays lose for the last time.

Baltimore's Sal Fasano hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, erasing a 2-0 deficit. Bernie Castro singled home the go-ahead run in the sixth and Melvin Mora and Jay Gibbons homered in the eighth.

The power outburst made a winner of Bruce Chen (13-10), who gave up two runs, eight hits and a walk in six innings, striking out three. Three relievers finished up.

The Orioles (74-88) completed a seesaw season that began with them grabbing first place in the loaded American League East before losing their grip, both on and off the field.

Rafael Palmeiro reached 3,000 hits, then tested positive for steroids weeks later. A midseason slump led to the firing of manager Lee Mazzilli . And the Orioles were 28 games under .500 after June 21.

The loser was Jesus Colome (2-3), who came on in the fifth inning for starter Tim Corcoran . Joe Borowski gave up both homers in the eighth.