Top of the ninth. Leading 2-0. Only one out from glory. Trevor Story of the Red Sox hits a ground ball to Ramón Urías (3B) who lobs it to Ryan O’Hearn at first. And like that, the Orioles make history. For the first time since 2014, the Baltimore team clinched the American League East Title with a season record of 100-59. This is the tenth time in the team’s history that they have won the title and the first time since 1980 that they’ve won 100 games but the road to Thursday night’s smash victory wasn’t easy.
At the start of the season, the O’s trailed the Tampa Bay Rays by six and a half games by July despite having a strong start themselves. But when they faced each other at Tropicana Field later that month, the Orioles took three of the four games of the series and gained a two game lead. Not long after, they clinched the postseason berth and the call to, “Take October” began to echo through Oriole Park. Holding onto that lead, Baltimore continued on the road to win their series against the Astros 2-1 and tie their series against the Guardians 2-2. There was only one day off in the entirety of September and it was right before the team shut out the Nationals in their series at home.
The historic game on the 28th began with a home run from Anthony Santander (RF) in the bottom of the first inning. Thanks to the starting pitcher Dean Kremer, the Red Sox only got two hits in the first five innings and not many more when DL Hall and Yennier Canó came to relieve him. The second run came at the bottom of the eighth when Heston Kjerstad (DH) hit an RBI double, allowing Adam Frazier (2B) to score. All that was left was three outs.
In addition to the team making history, an announcement was made during the third inning that had the potential to change Orioles culture for good. Via a jumbotron in the stadium, the following was displayed:
“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. Earlier today, the Orioles, Governor Wes Moore, the State of Maryland, and the Maryland Stadium Authority agreed to a deal that will keep the Orioles in Baltimore and at Camden Yards for at least the next 30 years!!”
All in all, this Orioles team is one to remember. This season is a far cry from the past few years when performance was sub par and October appears to be a chance to solidify the Orioles as the division leaders. With the bye to the Wild Card series, Baltimore prepares to start the postseason October 7th. Go O’s!