The Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 6-3 at Camden Yards Sunday. The playoff berth was also ensured for the Orioles, when the Rangers beat the Angeles 8-7 in another thrilling match.
After their emphatic victory over the Red Sox, the Orioles watched with bated breath, the game between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels. About two dozen Baltimore players and coaches and around 40,000 spectators watched the game rooting for the Rangers.
Texas looked poised to win, leading 4-3 in the ninth inning, however, Torii Hunter's two-run double put the Angeles in front. The Orioles players and fans who had been hoping for a Rangers' win looked disappointed and started walking off the field. But the Orioles manager, however, looked hopeful trying to cheer the players and the fans.
Mark Reynolds, the Orioles first baseman said: "It would have definitely been cool to celebrate with our fans. They've been supporting us all year. To be able to celebrate out there with them and take in the moment, it would have been pretty neat."
Much to their relief the Rangers beat the Angeles 8-7, helping the Orioles clinch a playoff berth.
Solo homers were hit by Nate McLouth, Chris Davis and Hardy while two runs were driven in by Jim Thome for the Orioles. They completed a sweep and went 13-5 against Boston; their best record against the Red Sox in a single season since 1970 (13-5).
Joe Saunders (3-3) performed brilliantly with eight hits and no walks in 7 and 1-3 innings for the Orioles. His 12 earned runs in last six starts proved very important for the team.
The Orioles are determined to advance to the postseason as the AL East champions. They are tied for the top spot with the New York Yankees, who defeated Toronto 9-6 and also clinched a wild-card berth. Both teams have three games remaining.
The Yankees will begin Monday, a season-ending home series against the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles will travel to Tampa Bay.
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