After 17 years, the Orioles finally clenched their first AL East title since 1997 by beating out Toronto Blue Jays. Dan Duquette was exuberant with the celebration throughout the stadium as the team celebrated their win.
According to the team's executive vice president of baseball operations, Duquette "The guys are having a great time, and they earned it. We've got some more work to do, and these guys know it, but congratulations to them on the division crown. They did a great job."
The Orioles did a great job this season, losing only once throughout the ten-game rotation, the Orioles is making their way to the playoffs which is their second appearance in three years.
Right fielder Nick Markakis said "It's everything I hoped for, man. It's an awesome experience. We worked hard all season long to get where we are now. We got one step out of the way. Now we have a couple more steps to go."
This is Orioles ninth AL East Title and the last time the team won the World Series was in 1983. The team revamp themselves under the management of Buck Showalter.
Baltimore is 42-23 in a division that includes the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, the free-spending New York Yankees and pitching-rich Tampa Bay. The Orioles led by only four games on Aug. 6 before going on a 27-11 run.
What's bittersweet in their win is the fact that the team's donor did not came from the team's key player.
Ubaldo Jimenez was making his first start in a month with Steve Pearce promoted to key starter. Pearce provided the Orioles with the lead for good with a three-run drive off Drew Hutchison (10-12) in the first inning.
According to Duquette "It says a lot about the way these guys can come in and perform. They're good baseball players."
Though having a rocky starts, Jimenez went on to limit the Blue Jays runs and hits which greatly helped the Orioles defense.
Jimenez said "I had to find a way to be there for the team. After the start, I was able to do everything good."
Drew Hutchison of the Blue Jays commented of the game "Watching what we had to watch was probably the worst thing you can experience as a player. 'It's something you never want to have to experience again. We have some games left here. We know what the odds are. We just have to win as much as we can. We still have a lot to play for with our pride."
