cincinnati reds

The only thing in the way of the Orioles and their first American League East title since 1997 on Friday was a final stretch of 23 regular-season games against teams in their division.

With Thursday¿s 9-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds before an announced 21,114 at Camden Yards, the Orioles posted their fourth sweep of three or more games this season.

The Orioles have Kelly Johnson and Alejandro De Aza starting tonight against the Reds. The Reds have a lineup of kids and reserves.

Manager Buck Showalter stood in the Orioles dugout on Tuesday night talking to player development director Brian Graham about that distinct sound the bat makes with Jonathan Schoop squares up a pitch.

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez has moved to the bullpen, to the minors and to the disabled list this year. But if he pitches like he did Wednesday in a 6-0 win, he'll earn a spot in the postseason rotation next month.

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez took two abrupt trips to the minors -- both coming within the past two months -- this season in stride. He knew he wasn't being sent down because of performance, but because the team needed his roster spot.

Even though the Orioles enter Wednesday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds with a 9 1/2-game lead in the American League East and have a magic number to clinch the division of 17, manager Buck Showalter said he's far from thinking about postseason strategy.

No matter how well the Orioles do this season, perhaps the most improbable moment of 2014 for those who have followed this club over the past several years occurred in the third inning of the All-Star Game in Minnesota in July -- and it had little to do with the current Orioles.

J.J. Hardy is back in the starting lineup for the Orioles.

The Orioles had five hits -- all singles -- to score four runs in the first inning against Reds right-hander Mat Latos and then held on for a 5-4 win in front of an announced 15,021 at Camden Yards.

Following a 23-minute rain delay before tonight¿s Orioles game against the Cincinnati Reds, another band of storms has forced a second delay just two batters into the game.

Quintin Berry, a speedy left-handed hitter who can play all three outfield positions, will be making his debut for the Orioles whenever he gets into a game. That means he soon will be on a major league field with his teammate from Morse High School in San Diego: Adam Jones.

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said his lower back is feeling much better and he is able to play, but manager Buck Showalter wanted to give him a full day off.

The Orioles (79-57) had their four-game winning streak snapped and saw their lead in the American League East division drop to 8 1/2 games over the idle New York Yankees. The Twins (60-77) have won just two of their last nine games.

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy left Monday¿s 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins with a lower back spasm, but hopes to be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday¿s series opener against Cincinnati.

Steve Pearce is considered day-to-day with abdomen strain, source says.

Based on his performance in the Orioles' 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday at Camden Yards, the club can't be happy about facing left-hander Drew Smyly a lot over the next four-plus seasons.

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman was optioned to the Gulf Coast League following Wednesday's loss.

How does this year's squad stack up through 130 games against successful Orioles teams of the past?

With news that Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is having surgery on his right knee and will be lost for the season, two questions immediately arise. How will this affect Machado long-term and how will this affect the Orioles short-term?

Heading into Friday, the Orioles faced a stretch of seven teams that weren't above .500. The Indians changed that with a win.

Caleb Joseph homered his way into franchise history on Saturday, becoming the first Orioles catcher and the first rookie to hit a home run in five straight games.

How does this year's squad stack up through 110 games against successful Orioles teams of the past?

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Since Jimenez last pitched July 5 in Boston, he likely will need at least two rehab starts before he can come off the disabled list.

How does this year's squad stack up through 100 games against successful Orioles teams of the past?

How does this year's squad stack up through 94 games against successful Orioles teams of the past?

Parades, fireworks other Independence Day events coming to Bel Air, Kingsville, Havre de Grace, Joppatowne

How does this year's squad stack up through 81 games against successful Orioles teams of the past?

Mitch Edelman: Name change for team is overdue

2014 Independence Day Celebrations

How does this year's squad stack up through 70 games against successful Orioles teams of the past?

Maryland baseball coach John Szefc has insisted ahead of the team's first NCAA Super Regional appearance Saturday in Virginia that his squad is comfortable and loose, despite having entered the year with no postseason experience.

Having the All-Star Game in Baltimore would give the Orioles a chance to tout the team's turnaround from years of dismal results, as well as give an incentive with season-ticket packages for 2015 and 2016 if the club ties access to the event to longer season plans. And it would pump millions into the local economy, while giving Peter G. Angelos one of his biggest moments as Orioles owner on a national stage.

Delmarva reliever Jimmy Yacobonis has made 15 appearances on the season and not allowed a run ¿ earned or unearned ¿ in 20 innings of work for the Shorebirds.

With left-hander Johan Santana's opt-out date Friday, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the club has presented the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner with a plan for the next few weeks that could have him join the Orioles -- if things go well -- by roughly June 18.

How does this year's squad stack up through 50 games against successful Orioles teams of the past?

How does this year's squad stack up through 40 games against successful Orioles teams of the past?

Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson has been through a lot over the past several years, but he clearly hasn't lost his sense of humor.

Reliever Sean Healy allowed two runs on four hits in six innings as South River baseball upset No. 4 Arundel, 8-2, on Saturday in baseball.

How does this year's squad stack up through three games against successful Orioles teams of the past? With high expectations this season, we'll try to track how the club is performing through each game compared to previous years in which they made the playoffs.

With a 1-1 record, the Orioles are tied for second place in the American League East. They're tied with the Boston Red Sox (1-1) and 1/2-game behind the Toronto Blue Jays (2-1).

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

The right-handed starter walked four and struck out six as the visiting No. 6 Seton Keough softball team shut out No. 9 Archbishop Spalding, 10-0.