masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe lights are turned off in the press box tonight as the 60th anniversary celebration takes place on the field. I’m typing this blog entry in the dark.

Forgive the typos. As usual.

As the Orioles walked off the field following their 12-2 win over the Cardinals, they were greeted by a special group of ex-players.

“I’ve still got chills,” said manager Buck Showalter. “We all just came up the runway and all the Hall of Famers are greeting our guys as they come off the field. That was…The lights are turned off in the press box tonight as the 60th anniversary celebration takes place on the field. I’m typing this blog entry in the dark.

Forgive the typos. As usual.

As the Orioles walked off the field following their 12-2 win over the Cardinals, they were greeted by a special group of ex-players.

showalter-smiling-sidebar.jpg“I’ve still got chills,” said manager Buck Showalter. “We all just came up the runway and all the Hall of Famers are greeting our guys as they come off the field. That was pretty cool. You want to take pictures. Those are keepers.”

This game was a keeper, as the Orioles hit six home runs and moved 17 games above .500.

“You all put pressure on us not to have a rewrite late in the game,” Showalter said.

We all shared the same thought tonight. Earl Weaver would have loved the home runs, especially the three-run shots.

“I thought about that, too, Showalter said.

“Tilly (Chris Tillman) was really good tonight. He was sharp early on. Both clubs traveled late last night and we got a real lift from our fans. And the celebration today of the Orioles’ history and the players. I’m looking forward to what’s coming up next.”

A byproduct of a lopsided win is the chance to rest the regulars. Showalter removed J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.

“Like I said many times, nobody’s ever going to be back to 100 percent until about three weeks after the season is over,” Showalter said. “You try to manage that. J.J. ices his knees earlier than he normally does, Jonesy gets some ice on the knee where he was hit, Nicky ices everything head to toe. It was well-timed but we’ve got a quick turnaround with an afternoon game tomorrow in the shadows.”

Showalter said Jones should be OK after getting drilled on the knee.

“I think so, I think so,” he said.

Tillman allowed two runs, on A.J. Pierzynski’s homer, over 6 2/3 innings. Pierzynski was the last batter he faced.

“You see him have command of the fastball and curveball early in the game, he’s got a real good chance,” Showalter said. “He’s been real crisp. I think he’s benefited being in that spot now where every five days is doing him well. He’s in a good routine and we don’t want to take him out of that.

“We saw what he did in the second half of the season last year and I hope that’s an indication.”