Jim Johnson recorded his 50th save, and the Orioles completed their sweep of the Red Sox with a 6-3 win at Camden Yards. Johnson is the 10th pitcher to record 50 saves in a single season since it became an official stat in 1969. The Orioles are 73-0 when leading after the seventh and 74-1 after the eighth. Johnson retired the side in order with a fly ball and two ground outs. The Orioles filed out of the dugout as usual. No wild celebration, since the Angels game isn't a final. The Rangers...

The Orioles have reduced their magic number to clinch their first playoff berth since 1997 to one after today's 6-3 win over Boston in front of 41,257 at Camden Yards. The Orioles would have officially clinched a playoff berth if Los Angeles had lost to Texas, but the Angels rallied in the ninth for a 5-4 win. They play the night portion of that day-night doubleheader at 7:05 and the O's will earn a playoff spot with an Angels loss. The Orioles began the day tied with the Yankees for the AL...

ST. LOUIS - Given a chance to clinch the division title in his hometown, Ross Detwiler did not bring his A-game to the table. Detwiler has allowed five runs through two innings, walked four hitters and served up a two-run homer to Carlos Beltran. The Nationals trail the Cardinals 5-0 after two. Detwiler pitched a scoreless first inning, but fell apart in the second. He walked the first two hitters he faced, then got an awful break when Danny Espinosa booted a tailor-made 4-6-3 double play...

A couple of mid-game notes as the Orioles hold a 5-1 lead after three and a half innings against Boston, on a day they hope they can clinch their first playoff berth since 1997. * Jim Thome is 2-for-2 today with a pair of RBI singles. That gives the veteran eight hits over his last 15 at-bats with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs. Yes, he's been a nice pickup. * From Sept. 17-25, Manny Machado had just one extra-base hit, a double, over a nine-game stretch. Now he is 6-for-11 over his last...

ST. LOUIS - Ross Detwiler was pretty down on himself after his last start, calling his performance in the Nationals' series-opening loss at Philadelphia "embarrassing." Detwiler allowed five runs over five innings Tuesday against the Phillies, an outing which you could tell stayed with him in the days afterward. Today, Detwiler has a chance to atone for that outing by helping the Nationals clinch the NL East, and he has a chance to do it in his hometown in front of dozens of family members...

The Orioles are expecting a sellout or close to it for this afternoon's regular-season home finale. Will fans get to watch them celebrate on the field after clinching a playoff berth? It could happen if the Angels lose Game 1 of their doubleheader and the Orioles defeat the Red Sox. But how enthusiastically would the Orioles celebrate? How would they react? "Honestly and sincerely," said manager Buck Showalter. "That's how they'll act, if it happens. And it's not something where I'm...

Chris Davis has put together a three-game run where he has hit four homers. He is 5-for-11 with nine RBIs during that stretch. OK, he is not Mark Reynolds' homer hot, but he hit No. 30 last night. "Just like him (Reynolds) earlier this year, you get hot," Davis said. "When a power hitter gets hot, they have a tendency to go deep. I've felt good at the plate the last few weeks and feel like I've really capitalized on pitches maybe I was missing earlier this year. When I simplify it and go...

After winning his second straight Most Valuable Oriole award, Adam Jones spent a good portion of an interview on that topic discussing the other players on the team that could have earned that honor. "I think there are some other deserving guys," he said. "I've lobbied for Jim Johnson and our entire bullpen. But, at the end of the day, I appreciate it. But I couldn't do this without my teammates. They are the reason why we are where we're at. It's getting named to me, but it's a team....

ST. LOUIS - The Nationals just posted the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals. With a win today, Washington will clinch the NL East. For the Nationals: Jayson Werth RF Bryce Harper CF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Michael Morse LF Ian Desmond SS Danny Espinosa 2B Kurt Suzuki C Ross Detwiler P For the Cardinals: John Jay CF Carlos Beltran RF Matt Holliday LF Allen Craig 1B Yadier Molina C David Freese 3B Daniel Descalso 2B Pete Kozma SS Lance Lynn P

Matt Wieters is behind the plate again today for the home regular-season finale against the Red Sox. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Jim Thome DH Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Joe Saunders LHP For the Red Sox: Ellsbury CF Pedroia 2B Ross RF Gomez 1B Valencia 3B Lavarnway C Nava LF Ciriaco DH Iglesias SS Stewart RHP Steve Johnson said his right foot is much better today after being hit by Dustin...