Blue Jays 1 - 6 Orioles
Final
  for this game

AL East-champion O's go for sweep of Blue Jays

Sep 17, 2014 - 2:39 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - With their first American League East title since 1997 now secured the Baltimore Orioles can turn their attention to the best overall record in the league on Wednesday when they try to complete a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards.

Baltimore wrapped up its first division crown in 17 years on Tuesday, as Steve Pearce and Jimmy Paredes each homered to help the Orioles to an 8-2 triumph.

Ubaldo Jimenez (5-9) survived a rocky start to go five innings and allow two runs on two hits and four walks with six strikeouts.

Alejandro De Aza supplied a clutch three-run triple that broke the game open in the seventh for Baltimore, which last clinched the division crown at home on Sept. 22, 1979 courtesy of a loss by Milwaukee. You would have to go back even further, to Sept. 13, 1969, to find the last time the O's clinched with a win on their home turf.

"It's a great feeling," De Aza said. "I can't describe it right now."

Baltimore is three games back of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the race for the AL's best record.

Drew Hutchison (10-12) lasted 6 1/3 innings, yielding six runs on five hits while striking out a career-high 11 in the setback.

Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Reyes each knocked in a run for the Blue Jays, who have lost three straight and four of five.

Getting the call for the Orioles on Wednesday will be righty Bud Norris, who was terrific against the Yankees on Friday. Norris scattered three hits and struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings in that one, as he improved to 13-8 to go along with a 3.74 ERA.

Norris is a perfect 3-0 in five starts versus the Jays with a 2.79 ERA.

Toronto, meanwhile, will counter with lefty J.A. Happ, who is 9-10 with a 4.28 ERA. Happ lost his second straight start on Friday, but it was through no fault of his own, as he allowed a run and two hits in seven innings of his team's 1-0 setback.

Happ is 1-2 in six games (5 starts) against the O's.

Baltimore is 9-6 versus the Blue Jays this season.






Related News