Showalter speaks after 6-5, 11-inning loss

Extra innings on a travel day with the Orioles heading to the West Coast later this afternoon. Not exactly the way they would have drawn it up today. Except... "We'd draw it up if we could have gotten a W out of it," manager Buck Showalter said after a 6-5, 11-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. "Really proud of the guys the way they competed. Very easy to pull in the dirt after they (Blue Jays) jumped out there. Of course, there were some solo home runs there that allowed us to get back in the game. Real proud that they kept battling and got back in there. "Had some good at-bats with some people out there. Just couldn't get the ball to fall." And when it did in the 10th with J.J. Hardy's two-out single, Toronto left fielder Rajai Davis threw out Manny Machado at the plate. "J.J. had a big at-bat and hit it right at him, to a guy with a really good arm," Showalter said. "I think their outfield probably as a group throws as well as any you'd want to see. I knew it was going to be hard to score somebody on a single. "Just one-hopped basically to a guy with a plus-arm. You've got to send him there and he made a good throw. Sometimes, you've just got to tip your hat." Jim Johnson allowed his first earned run this season on a four-pitch bases-loaded walk to No. 9 hitter Maicer Izturis with two outs. "He looked real crisp until he gives up a broken-bat flare to center field to (J.P.) Arencibia, and then a ground ball single to left," Showalter said. "Jimmy's been great this year. I thought he was pretty good today, too. It was what it was. He got a big out against some tough hitters there the inning before and he got two outs there. Just one pitch away. We had opportunities." The Orioles optioned Josh Stinson to Triple-A Norfolk after he served up four home runs in 5 2/3 innings. "I was hoping Josh would pitch real well and get us deep, and he actually did give us a chance," Showalter said. "He got us into some innings that we could manage out of the bullpen." The Orioles had won 17 straight regular season extra-inning games before losing today. "These guys competed really well today," Showalter said. "It is what it is. Stay in the moment. I was proud. It's not something I dwell on. I know our guys don't. But I understand how it's noteworthy." The Orioles went 6-3 on the homestand. "We'd like to win them all, but we held serve at home," Showalter said. "Now comes as tough a part of that...going west and playing three good clubs. It's kind of behind us right now. It's pack up and see you all in two weeks. Two weeks is a long time." Note: Online balloting for the 2013 All-Star Game began today and will continue through July 4. Fans can vote at MLB.com. Balloting at Camden Yards runs from May 7-June 25. Orioles on the ballot are: Chris Davis 1B Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado 3B Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold DH Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Nate McLouth OF Jones also is among 10 American League finalists for the Home Run Derby. Fans can vote for three players. The All-Star Game will be played July 16th at Citi Field in New York.