How the Orioles fared through 130 games in seasons they made the playoffs

By Dean Jones Jr. The Baltimore Sun

After a long, ugly win Tuesday night, the Orioles continue their four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards tonight in their 131st game of the season.

Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman is scheduled to face Tampa Bay left-hander Drew Smyly, and first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

How does this year's squad stack up through 130 games against successful Orioles teams of the past? With a 75-55 record, the Orioles are seven games ahead of the New York Yankees (68-62) in the American League East division. Their magic number to clinch is 26.

Here's how the Orioles fared in previous seasons when they made the playoffs.

Interesting game

Chico Salmon's bunt single with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning gave the Orioles a walk-off win over the Seattle Pilots on Aug. 28, 1969. Salmon, who had entered the game as a pinch-runner for first baseman Boog Powell in the eighth inning, drove in Curt Motton with the winning run in the 4-3 victory in front of 8,118 at Memorial Stadium as the Orioles improved to 89-41. Right-hander Jim Palmer gave up three runs and eight hits in nine innings, and right-hander Eddie Watt earned the win after pitching two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

2012

Record: 72-58

Season finish: 93-69, lost in AL Division Series to New York Yankees

1997

Record: 84-46

Season finish: 98-64, lost in AL Championship Series to Cleveland Indians

1996

Record: 69-61

Season finish: 88-74, lost in ALCS to Yankees

1983

Record: 77-53

Season finish: 98-64, beat Philadelphia Phillies in World Series

1979

Record: 86-44

Season finish: 102-57, lost in World Series to Pittsburgh Pirates

1974

Record: 65-65

Season finish: 91-71, lost in ALCS to Oakland Athletics

1973

Record: 76-54

Season finish: 97-65, lost in ALCS to Athletics

1971

Record: 82-48

Season finish: 101-57, lost in World Series to Pirates

1970

Record: 84-46

Season finish: 108-54, beat Cincinnati Reds in World Series

1969

Record: 89-41

Season finish: 109-53, lost in World Series to New York Mets

1966

Record: 82-48

Season finish: 97-63, beat Los Angeles Dodgers in World Series