masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe 2013 Boston Red Sox won the World Series and new Orioles pitcher Andrew Miller helped them get there. He just couldn’t pitch when they did make the postseason.

On July 6, 2013, Miller went down in a game against the Los Angeles Angels, injuring his left foot on a comebacker to the mound. Surgery was needed to repair ligament damage. His season was over after he went 1-2 with a 2.64 ERA over 30 2/3 innings.

Now he is with another team that has designs of going deep into the playoffs. This…The 2013 Boston Red Sox won the World Series and new Orioles pitcher Andrew Miller helped them get there. He just couldn’t pitch when they did make the postseason.

On July 6, 2013, Miller went down in a game against the Los Angeles Angels, injuring his left foot on a comebacker to the mound. Surgery was needed to repair ligament damage. His season was over after he went 1-2 with a 2.64 ERA over 30 2/3 innings.

Now he is with another team that has designs of going deep into the playoffs. This time, he wants to actually pitch in some of those October games, should the Orioles get there.

miller-black-pitching.jpgRight now, he’s loving being a part of the Orioles and relishing the chance to pitch in a playoff game.

“It is all I could ask for,” Miller said. “I certainly enjoyed my time in Boston, but getting to come to a team where winning is the expectation and what is going on this time of year is something I can appreciate.

“This is the most fun time of year to play. Ultimately, this is what we play for. You don’t know how many opportunities you will get to play in such meaningful games. I am certainly not going to take it for granted.

“I’ve been fortunate to be on some good teams but haven’t really been a key, contributing member to most of those teams. So I am taking this in.”

The Orioles certainly have to be impressed with Miller so far. He has an ERA of 0.96 over his first 10 games with the Orioles. In 9 1/3 innings, he has allowed three hits and one run with three walks and 13 strikeouts.

Left-handed batters are just 3-for-20 with eight strikeouts against Miller and right-handed batters are 0-for-10 with five strikeouts.

The Orioles have slowed down Tampa Bay a bit with wins the last two nights. The Rays had won eight of their last 11 road games and 11 of 16 American League East games before this series began.

Tampa Bay’s team ERA this month was 2.54 coming into the series and the team has allowed 13 runs in losing two games to the Orioles.

The Orioles are 10-4 against the Rays this season after going 6-13 last season.

In the minors: The Single-A Frederick Keys may be in last place in the Carolina League’s North Division standings, but after an important win last night, Frederick is just a half-game out of a playoff spot.

Here is the situation: Potomac is going to win both the first and second half division titles so the club that finishes second in the second half will also make the playoffs. Lynchburg and Wilmington are tied for second in the division, seven games back of Potomac, but Frederick is 7 1/2 out and just a half-game out of a playoff berth.

Matt Taylor got the win last night as Frederick beat Salem 5-4. He is 6-2 with a 3.13 ERA. John Ruettiger, Adrian Marin and Trey Mancini had two hits each for the Keys.

Frederick will play eight games over the next six days to end the regular season. The Keys have two doubleheaders scheduled, including one tonight at Harry Grove Stadium against Salem.

Meanwhile, the Orioles’ No. 1 Dominican Summer League team plays the Royals today in the decisive third game of their playoff series.

The Orioles forced a third game with a 3-1 win yesterday as Miguel Bautista gave up just one run over seven innings.