masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles completed their first four-game sweep of the Athletics in Baltimore with tonight’s 4-2 victory before 22,766 at Camden Yards. They also produced a four-game sweep in 1987 in Oakland.
Steve Clevenger hit his first home run as an Oriole, a three-run shot in the fourth inning, and only his second in the majors – the other coming off Bud Norris in 2012.
Chris Tillman earned the win by holding the A’s to two runs and three hits over seven innings, and Zach Britton recorded his 29th…

The Orioles completed their first four-game sweep of the Athletics in Baltimore with tonight’s 4-2 victory before 22,766 at Camden Yards. They also produced a four-game sweep in 1987 in Oakland.

Steve Clevenger hit his first home run as an Oriole, a three-run shot in the fourth inning, and only his second in the majors – the other coming off Bud Norris in 2012.

Chris Tillman earned the win by holding the A’s to two runs and three hits over seven innings, and Zach Britton recorded his 29th save in 31 opportunities.

The Orioles (61-56) are five games above .500 for the first time since July 2 as they wait for the Mets to arrive Tuesday.

Here’s a sampling from manager Buck Showalter:

On whether Clevenger has a role after Matt Wieters is back in lineup:
“We’ll see. Stevie, I’m real proud of the way he went down there and did what he had to be a good option and a contributor for us. It bodes well for him. It’s always a good time for someone who can contribute like he did yesterday and today. He and Henry (Urrutia) both. So it’s been a nice little plus for us getting them up here and contributing. We’ll see where things shake out. It’s not like we’re getting ready to activate somebody. I can’t tell you how hard it is to win four games from the same team, home or away. It’s hard. I thought Chris (Tillman) was OK.”

steve-clevenger_mask.pngOn Clevenger’s home run after Chris Davis reached on error and Jonathan Schoop singled:
“Take advantage of it. Jon’s had some good at-bats very quietly. I don’t think Jon’s even had 200 at-bats yet. He really stepped up in a time of need for us offensively. Chris, when you have a reputation like he does of running balls out, it puts a little added pressure on defenders. When they know you’re going to have to get the ball and … When you think of how many times he’s hit into the shift. How many home runs have they caught that would have been over the fence on him now?”

More on Clevenger:
“You try to be upfront and you say, ‘Here’s why you are not with the club right now. Here’s what you need to work on.’ He’s attacked everything. I was looking at, we had weigh-ins yesterday, and he’s stayed in great shape all year and it shows. He’s done nothing but improve as a catcher down there. I read the reports. Talking to him very bluntly this spring, I said ‘Go down there and lead the league in hitting. You’re going to be holding all the marbles at the end of this year. Present yourself attractively with everything.’ And he’s done everything at every turn. That’s why I’m glad he’s getting a return for it. Glad we are, too.”

On whether rest is helping Caleb Joseph:
“I think it helps most catchers physically. One of the most remarkable things in baseball to me is a catcher that can be an offensive threat that are good defenders because it takes such a toll on you. I think you saw it at the last year toward the end of the year with Caleb. There’s not many people in this park that have had a better full season at the Double-A level than Caleb Joseph.”

On Tillman’s ankle:
“Chris said the only time the ankle bit him a little bit was on the swinging bunt. He was going hitter to hitter in the seventh inning.”

On Tillman just being OK:
“Not as (crisp) as he’s going to be. But that’s a testament to him, being able to pitch seven innings. To come out of a four-game series with the same club that sees your pitchers over and over again and to come out with your bullpen on its feet, I’m pretty happy about that. Zach was good again, and Darren (O’Day). I think we’re starting to hopefully reap the benefits of some of the caution we’ve taken with all of our pitchers during the course of the year. It’s that time of year where we’ve got to go.”