masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMark Reynolds must really, really want the Orioles to pick up that $11 million option for next season.

Reynolds clubbed a three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

If you’re scoring at home, that’s five homers in five days for Reynolds, and nine since Aug. 8. He’s sizzling.

Blue Jays starter Carlos Villanueva had allowed one hit in four innings before Adam Jones led off the fifth with a double. Chris Davis walked with…Mark Reynolds must really, really want the Orioles to pick up that $11 million option for next season.

Reynolds clubbed a three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

If you’re scoring at home, that’s five homers in five days for Reynolds, and nine since Aug. 8. He’s sizzling.

Blue Jays starter Carlos Villanueva had allowed one hit in four innings before Adam Jones led off the fifth with a double. Chris Davis walked with one out and Reynolds mashed again.

Zach Britton has allowed four hits over five scoreless innings, with one walk and five strikeouts.

Britton has surrendered only three earned runs in his last four starts and 26 2/3 innings. Fresh arm.

By the way, the Rays are leading the Yankees, 3-2, in the fourth inning. In case you were curious.

Update: Nick Markakis singled to lead off the fifth inning, took third on J.J. Hardy’s double and scored on Nate McLouth’s sacrifice fly.

Hardy took third base, but was stranded.

Yes, it’s raining in the dome. And yes, some fans were smart enough to bring an umbrella … in a dome.

The Orioles will try to improve their record to 1-0 when it rains in a dome.

Update II: The Orioles tacked on three more runs in the seventh on a Robert Andino sacrifice fly, a balk that scored Manny Machado and a Hardy single that scored Markakis, who doubled because he keeps reaching base as a leadoff hitter.

The Rays lead the Yankees 5-2.

Having fun yet?

Update III: The Orioles’ run differential is going to look a little better after tonight.

They added five runs in the eighth to expand their lead to 12-0. Markakis has three more hits tonight, raising his average to .304. Reynolds is 3-for-4 with four RBIs. McLouth has two RBIs. Machado has two more hits and an RBI.

I guess the Orioles didn’t rush him.

Britton shut out the Blue Jays on four hits and struck out eight batters in seven innings.

Update IV: Zach Phillips got the last three outs to seal a 12-0 victory.

The Orioles improved to 60-0 when leading after seven innings. They’re 63-1 when leading after the eighth. And they will be tied for first in the American League East if the Rays hold onto a 5-2 lead in the eighth.

Update V: The Rays beat the Yankees tonight in St. Petersburg, Fla., allowing the Orioles to tie for first place in the American League East.

In September? Might have to go back to 1997 to find the last time they’ve been that high up in the standings.