Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Several Orioles players rush the field after sweeping Boston.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunNate McLouth gets a shaving cream pie from Robert Andino.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunRyan Flaherty gets congratulated by teammate Manny Machado after his grand slam in the first inning Friday night.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore SunAs rain falls, Orioles first baseman Mark Reynolds hits a solo home run off New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia in the second inning at Camden Yards.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREJake Arrieta pitches in relief against the Mariners on Tuesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones shakes the hand of Jim Thome after his fourth-inning homer in Monday's first game against Toronto.
Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREOrioles first baseman Mark Reynolds tumbles into the stands trying to make a catch in the first inning.
Ezra Shaw, Getty ImagesChris Davis is greeted by teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the fifth inning Friday.
Joy R. Absalon, US PRESSWIREThe Oriole Bird brings out the broom.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunNick Markakis tosses his bat aside after flying out to right in the third inning.
Getty ImagesKevin Gregg delivers to a Yankees batter in the eighth inning.
Getty ImagesOrioles catcher Matt Wieters is congratulated by his teammates after hitting his first of two solo home runs against the A's.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunJason Hammel leaves Tueday night's game in the fourth inning with a right knee injury. Also pictured are manager Buck Showalter and trainer Richie Bancells.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunJ.J. Hardy gets the congratulations from Nate McLouth after his second home run of the game in the eighth inning.
Getty ImagesLew Ford celebrates with Buck Showalter, Jim Presley and John Russell after scoring a run against Boston in the fifth inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.The Oriole Bird runs onto the field with a broom after the O's swept the Red Sox.
Bob DeChiara, US PRESSWIREFormer professional wrestler George "The Animal" Steele gets ready to throw out the first pitch prior to Friday night's Orioles-Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Orioles manager Buck Showalter watches the Angels-Rangers game on the big screen at Camden Yards.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunJ.J. Hardy is all smiles as he gets congratulations from his teammates after his two-run homer in the third inning Tuesday night against the Rays.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREO's shortstop J.J. Hardy fields a grounder during the first inning Tuesday night.
Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREOrioles manager Buck Showalter keeps an eye on the game against the Mariners.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones leaves the box after hitting an eighth-inning single in Monday's first game.
ANDA CHU, MCTYoenis Cespedes jogs around the bases after his fourth inning homer run as Matt Wieters looks on Friday night.
US PresswireManny Machado hits an RBI single in the fifth inning against the Red Sox.
Getty ImagesChris Tillman delivers in the first inning against the Red Sox.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunOrioles center fielder Adam Jones makes a diving catch on a sacrifice fly hit by the Jeff Keppinger in the fourth inning Thursday afternoon.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles shortstop J.J. Hardy throws to first after forcing out Toronto's Yan Gomes at second base. The throw to first was not in time to double up Rajai Davis.
ANDA CHU, MCTOakland second baseman Adam Rosales jumps over Matt Wieters after making the throw to first base to complete the double play in the fourth inning Friday.
Getty ImagesMark Reynolds collides with Boston's Dustin Pedroia during Friday night's game.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunWei-Yin Chen reacts after allowing a two-run homer against the New York Yankees in the fourth inning.
Getty ImagesJ.J. Hardy hits an RBI single against the A's in the third inning.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunOrioles right fielder Chris Davis, right, is charged with an error after colliding with center fielder Adam Jones, causing the ball hit by Boston's Cody Ross to drop in the sixth inning at Camden Yards.
Getty ImagesOakland's Josh Reddick rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer off Orioles starter Randy Wolf.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunOrioles third baseman Manny Machado starts a double play to end the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty ImagesWei-Yin Chen delivers during his start in Seattle on Tuesday night.
ANDA CHU, MCTJoe Saunders pitches Friday night against the A's in Oakland.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty ImagesMark Reynolds catches a pop fly in foul territory before he falls into the stands against the Mariners.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunJ.J. Hardy connects for a single in the sixth inning Thursday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones connects on the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning Thursday night.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunThe Orioles celebrate their 14-innings victory over the Rays on Thursday.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREAdam Jones slides in toward Mariners second baseman Dustin Ackley to break up a potential double play in Wednesday's fourth inning.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones slides past the tag of Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist for a stolen base in Wednesday's fifth inning.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones returns to the Orioles' dugout after scoring on a Matt Wieters double Tuesday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunMiguel Gonzalez pitches during Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREMariners second baseman Dustin Ackley catches a foul ball over the railing during the 12th inning Tuesday night.
Kenneth K. LAM, Baltimore SunThe Oriole Bird and fans cheer after the Orioles scored in the seventh inning Thursday.
Mark L. Baer, US PRESSWIREPedro Strop surrendered the Orioles one-run lead in the eighth inning Saturday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunManny Machado and Nate McLouth, the heroes of Wednesday night' win, walk off the field arm in arm.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREAdam Jones touches home plate after hitting the winning home run in the top of the 11th inning Wednesday night in Seattle.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesOrioles second baseman Ryan Flaherty tags out Dustin Pedroia in the seventh inning Saturday.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunOrioles third baseman Manny Machado makes a throw to first base in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards.
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty ImagesZach Britton lasted just four innings Saturday in Oakland.
Getty ImagesNick Markakis watches from the dugout during the Orioles' 13-3 loss to the Yankees. Markakis broke his left thumb the day before.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunRyan Flaherty walks off the field after his 5-RBI game against Boston on Friday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunJake Arrieta pitches in relief during Monday's nightcap against the Blue Jays.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunTeammates mob Nate McLouth after he hit the game winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday night.
US PresswireRobert Andino reacts after striking out against the Red Sox.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunNate McLouth reacts to his third-inning strikeout Wednesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunNick Markakis is shown in the dugout with the cast on his left hand after returning from Florida, where he had thumb surgury Tuesday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones went 4-for-4 in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunWei-Yin Chen pitches against the Rays on Thursday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunTeammates mob Nate McLouth after he hit the game winning RBI single Wednesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunToronto's Rajai Davis watches Nate McLouth's home run sail over the fence in the fifth inning of Game 2 Monday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunSteve Johnson works in relief of Jason Hammel on Tuesday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunJoe Saunders frowns as he's taken out by manager Buck Showalter in the seventh inning Tuesday night.
Getty ImagesAdam Jones reacts after scoring his second run of the game in the sixth inning against the Red Sox.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunShown is Orioles starting pitcher Joe Saunders on Tuesday night.
ANDA CHU, MCTMark Reynolds reacts to a called strike in Saturday's second inning.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunRookie Dylan Bundy pitched in the ninth inning Tuesday night against the Blue Jays.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunBaltimore's left fielder Nate McLouth looks back at the jeering Yankees fans after just missing a two-run homer at the wall.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles third baseman Manny Machado applies the tag to Toronto's Colby Rasmus, who was out on a throw from right fielder Chris Davis.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunOrioles fans cheer after the Orioles scored against the Rays in the seventh inning.
US PresswireJ.J. Hardy is congratulated by Adam Jones after scoring in the fourth inning against the Yankees.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREPedro Strop pitches in the 12th inning Tuesday night.
Ed Szczepanski, US PRESSWIREOrioles designated hitter Chris Davis blows a bubble as he rounds second base after hitting a home run off A's starting pitcher Tommy Milone in the fifth inning Friday night.
Kenneth K. LAM, Baltimore SunThe Orioles' celebration begins after Manny Machado's game-winning hit Thursday against the Rays.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore SunOrioles first baseman Mark Reynolds stretches to get the final out in the top of the ninth inning as the New York Yankees' Mark Teixeira slides.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunMiguel Gonzalez stands on the mound as Tampa Bay's B.J. Upton rounds the bases followinghis leadoff home run Wednesday night.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunOrioles right fielder Chris Davis chases after a double hit by Toronto's J. P. Arencibia in the fifth inning Wednesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles fans support the team Friday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones smiles through the shaving cream.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesNate McLouth scores in the first inning of Saturday afternoon's game at Fenway Park.
ANDA CHU, MCTChewbacca threw out the ceremonial first pitch on "Star Wars" in Oakland on Friday.
Ed Szczepanski, US PRESSWIREOrioles shortstop J.J. Hardy lunges for a ground ball during the fourth inning Friday.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunManny Machado races home with the Orioles' first run in Thursday's seventh inning.
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty ImagesAdam Jones is congratulated by teammates after scoring on Mark Reynolds' RBI double in the second inning Saturday.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore SunOrioles trainer Richie Bancells, right, examines Nick Markakis' hand after the right fielder was hit by a fastball from the New York Yankees' CC Sabathia in the fifth inning at Camden Yards.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREJoe Saunders pitches during Wednesday night's start in Seattle.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Nick Markakis and Buck Showalter watch the Rangers-Angels game on the big screen at Camden Yards after the Orioles beat the Red Sox, 6-3.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesThe Orioles celebrate after Manny Machado's walk-off single in the bottom of the 14th inning delivered a 3-2 win over the Rays on Thursday.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesOrioles fans cheer after Rays left fielder Matt Joyce couldn't catch the ball hit by Manny Machado that went for the game-winning hit.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesMatt Wieters slides into second base but can't break up the double play turned by Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia in the third inning Saturday.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesJim Thome and Adam Jones celebrate Saturday's win in Boston.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunNate McLouth watches as the ball sail over the center field wall for a lead-off home run in the first inning Wednesday night.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesRobert Andino reacts after being doubled off at first base in the third inning Friday in Boston.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunOrioles rookie L.J. Hoes plays left field in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday.
Getty ImagesLew Ford shatters his bat fouling off a ball in the fourth inning against the Red Sox.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunTaylor Teagarden is tagged out at home by Toronto catcher J.P. Arencibia as he tried to score on a Chris Davis fly to left in the sixth inning of Monday's nightcap.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunShown are Rick Peterson, Director of Pitching Development for the Orioles and Dylan Bundy, who received the Jim Palmer award for Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Getty ImagesEndy Chavez is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the A's.
Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREOrioles pitcher Chris Tillman throws a pitch against the Seattle Mariners.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunChris Davis follows through after hitting a three-run home run in the fifth inning Wednesday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones gets a taste of his own medicine by getting a shaving cream pie from teammate Tommy Hunter after Thursday night's win.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunRed Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik watches Orioles third baseman Manny Machado's home run in the seventh inning at Camden Yards.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles starter Wei-Yin Chen throws a pitch in the second game of the four-game series against the Yankees.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesRandy Wolf delivers against the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon.
Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREOrioles catcher Matt Wieters celebrates after scoring a run against the Mariners.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesOrioles manager Buck Showalter walks out onto the field at Fenway Park before Friday night's game.
Mark L. Baer, US PRESSWIREManny Machado hits a double in Saturday's sixth inning.
Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd FoxChris Davis hit his 30th homer of the season against the Red Sox in the fourth inning.
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty ImagesNate McLouth is congratulated by Adam Jones and others after McLouth hit a solo home run in the third inning Saturday night.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREChris Davis hits a two-run single in the top of the ninth to tie Tuesday night's game in Seattle.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Several Orioles stand on the field and watch the end of the Angels-Rangers game on the big screen at Camden Yards.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunPedro Strop reacts after getting the final out of Tuesday night's 9-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Kenneth K. LAM, Baltimore SunA young Orioles fan celebrates the Orioles' 14-inning victory over the Rays.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaFrom left, Taylor Teagarden, Adam Jones, Endy Chavez, Nate McLouth and J.J. Hardy congratulate each other after the Orioles beat the Red Sox.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones crouches in center field at the start of the ninth inning in Monday's nightcap against Toronto.
Getty ImagesRobert Andino reacts after turning a double play against the Red Sox in the fourth inning.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunManny Machado wipes shaving cream from his face after he was "pied" by teammate Adam Jones during a postgame television interview Thursday.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunOrioles third baseman Manny Machado trots home after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards.
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty ImagesAdam Jones is tagged out at the plate by A's catcher Derek Norris in the fourth inning Saturday.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunChris Davis (right) high fives J.J. Hardy after Davis' three-run homer in the fifth inning Wednesday night against the Blue Jays.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunMark Reynolds gets the congratulations from his teammates in the dugout after his solo home run in the sixth inning Thursday night.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore SunOrioles center fielder Adam Jones plays the ball after it hit the wall off the bat of the New York Yankees' Mark Teixeira in the first inning at Camden Yards.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunNate McLouth is hoisted into the air after his game-winning hit Wednesday.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesRed Sox left fielder Daniel Nava leaps but can't catch a ball hit off the Green Monster by Manny Machado in the sixth inning Saturday.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREOrioles manager Buck Showalter pulls starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen from the game during the sixth inning Tuesday night.
Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREOrioles center fielder Adam Jones is greeted after scoring a run in the first inning.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunMiguel Gonzalez pitches in the sixth inning Wednesday night against Toronto.
US PresswireWilson Betemit hits a two-run RBI double in the fourth inning against the Yankees.
Kelley L Cox, US PRESSWIREA's catcher Derek Norris tags out Adam Jones at the plate in the fourth inning Saturday.
Kenneth K. LAM, Baltimore SunManny Machado gets mobbed by teammates after Thursday's win.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesOrioles closer Jim Johnson shakes catcher Matt Wieters' hand after closing out the Red Sox on Friday night and breaking Randy Myers' single-season club record for saves.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesDylan Bundy throws in the outfield before the Orioles played the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunJason Hammel works early in Tuesday's game, before he had to leave with a right knee injury.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunRobert Andino slides safely into second base for a double, as Tampa Bay's Ryan Roberts cannot get the tag down in time in the third inning Tuesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones reacts to his strike out, with the bases loaded, in the sixth inning of Game 2 Monday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunMark Reynolds tosses his bat after he struck out to end the third inning Wednesday night.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREOrioles lefty Joe Saunders fields a ground ball during the first inning Wednesday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunSteve Johnson improved to 4-0 with five scoreless innings against the Blue Jays on Monday afternoon.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunChris Tillman allowed just one hit in eight innings of work against the Red Sox on Friday night.
Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREMark Reynolds hits an RBI double against the Mariners in the second inning of the 10-4 win.
Mark L. Baer, US PRESSWIRENate McLouth steals second base ahead of the throw to Boston's Dustin Pedroia on Saturday.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunOutfielders L.J. Hoes, Xavier Avery and Endy Chavez celebrate the O's 12-2 win Wednesday night.
Getty ImagesManny Machado (13), Robert Andino (11) and Chris Davis (19) sit in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Yankees.
US PresswireOrioles catcher Matt Wieters is congratulated by third baseman Manny Machado after scoring a run during the sixth inning against Boston.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunChris Tillman allowed just one hit in eight innings of work against the Red Sox on Friday night.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore SunOrioles shortstop J.J. Hardy hits a home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore SunOrioles closer Jim Johnson, left, pumps his fist after a game-ending double play against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina PernaFrom left, Ryan Flaherty, Adam Jones and Endy Chavez celebrate the Orioles' 6-3 win over the Red Sox.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles left fielder Nate McLouth robs the Yankees' Nick Swisher of a homer in the ninth.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREEndy Chavez waits on deck during the fourth inning Wednesday night.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunFrom left, Orioles players Robert Andino, Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy and Endy Chavez celebrate the victory over the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Adam Jones, Manny Machado and Chris Davis watch the end of the Angels-Rangers game after the Orioles beat the Red Sox, 6-3.
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty ImagesMark Reynolds hits an RBI double in Saturday's second inning.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunOrioles right fielder Chris Davis, left, and first baseman Mark Reynolds smile after Reynolds caught a foul ball while falling over the tarp in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones tosses his bat after striking out in the third inning against the Yankees.
Gene Sweeney Jr., MCTOrioles fans react to Robert Andino's seventh-inning homer against the Yankees.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunMark Reynolds (right) celebrates with Matt Wieters after Reynolds' sixth inning two-run homer Wednesday.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesChris Davis corrals a ball hit by Ryan Lavarnway in right field Saturday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunNate McLouth gets congratulated by his teammates after scoring on a Matt Wieters single in the first inning Wednesday night against the Rays.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunJoe Saunders,Manny Machado and Matt Wieters react to Machado's error in the seventh inning, when he couldn't get the ball out of his glove.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREOrioles reliever Darren O'Day works in the 10th inning Tuesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunManny Machado leaps high to snare Rajai Davis' chopper in the fourth inning.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunOrioles fans pack Camden Yards for Thursday night's game against the Yankees.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIREMariners center fielder Michael Saunders is escorted off the field by umpire Wally Bell after Saunders was ejected for throwing his helmet during the 10th inning Tuesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunBoston's Scott Podsednik dives to try for a Manny Machado fly ball in the fifth inning. He didn't make the catch, which allowed Mark Reynolds to score.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunSteve Johnson pitches in relief Tuesday night.
Jim Rogash, Getty ImagesDylan Bundy throws in the outfield before the O's play in Boston.
Getty ImagesOrioles outfielder Nate McLouth catches a fly ball off the bat of Oakland's Adam Rosales.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunOrioles shortstop J.J. Hardy tags out Rajai Davis, who was caught stealing by catcher Matt Wieters in the second inning Wednesday.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunMatt Wieters tags out Tampa Bay's Rich Thompson between third and home as the Orioles escape the bottom of the eighth unscathed Wednesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunRyan Flaherty and the Orioles celebrate their 9-1 win Friday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunThird baseman Manny Manchado makes this leaping throw to first to get B.J. Upton in the third inning Wednesday.
Getty ImagesMatt Wieters rounds the bases after hitting his second home run off Oakland starter Dan Straily in the fourth inning.
Steven Bisig, US PRESSWIRENate McLouth singles in the sixth inning Tuesday.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore SunOrioles right fielder Endy Chavez makes a diving catch against the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning at Camden Yards.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunThe Oriole Bird brought out the bloom to celebrate Orioles' series sweep of the Rays.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Adam Jones and Manny Machado watch the Rangers-Angels game from the dugout after the Orioles' 6-3 win over Boston.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunThe Orioles' dugout looks on during the ninth inning of Tuesday night's 4-0 loss to the Blue Jays.
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty ImagesMark Reynolds gets caught in a rundown and tagged out by Josh Donaldson in the second inning Saturday night.
Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIREChris Davis scores before the tag of Seattle catcher Jesus Montero in the fourth inning Wednesday night.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore SunManny Machado connects for a solo home run in the fifth inning Wednesday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunAdam Jones rounds the bases after his two-run homer in the fourth inning of Monday's first game against the Blue Jays.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunChris Davis is greeted by Adam Jones after homering in the eighth inning Thursday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunMark Reynolds sits in the dugout after hitting into a first pitch double-play with the bases loaded in the ninth inning Monday night.
US PresswireMark Reynolds reacts after striking out against the Red Sox.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunChris Davis is tagged out by Toronto's Kelly Johnson as he was trying to stretch a single into a double in the fifth inning of Monday afternoon's game.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunRyan Flaherty scores the Orioles' ninth run Friday night on Taylor Teagarden's RBI single in the fifth inning.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunTaylor Teagarden is tagged out at home by Toronto's catcher J.P. Arencibia, as he tried to score on a Chris Davis fly to left in the sixth Monday night.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.Several members of the Orioles watch the end of the Angels-Rangers game on the big screen at Camden Yards.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunJ.J. Hardy is shown hitting his two-run homer in the third inning Tuesday night.
Ezra Shaw, Getty ImagesOrioles first baseman Mark Reynolds dives but can't catch a pop up in foul territory Friday night.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore SunThe Orioles celebrate Ryan Flaherty's grand slam in the first inning Friday night against Boston starter Aaron Cook.
Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has a short and a long-term goal when it comes to getting in the lineup: He expects to play in all 162 this year. And he wants to chase down Cal Ripken Jr.’s streak.
OK, he’s kidding about one of them.
“I’m gonna play 162. I have no choice. That’s what they signed me for,” said Jones, who signed an $85.5 million, six-year contract extension in May and has played in all 138 games this season.
Jones pointed out that fellow outfielder, Nick Markakis, missed just five games in the first three seasons of his contract extension (before being sidelined for nearly six weeks this year due to wrist surgery). And he wants to play as often, or even more, than Markakis.
“I want to fulfill what Markakis has fulfilled. He has played — minus that one month he missed this year — he has played like 99.8 percent of his contract. I want to play 100 percent of my contract. I understand there are [game] days off, but there are [scheduled] days off during the season. Adrenaline is gonna keep me going.”
Jones is just one of three players this season, along with Detroit’s Prince Fielder and the Chicago Cubs’ Starlin Castro, that has played in every game for his club in 2012, according to Stats LLC.
Jones’ personal streak is at 141; he played the final three games of last season, but, like most of the Orioles’ starters, sat on Sept. 25, 2011 in Detroit as the club geared up for its final series of the season against the Boston Red Sox. Heading into Friday, Jones is behind only Fielder (317) and Castro (171) on the active, consecutive games-played list, according to Stats.
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Jones is considerably far away from the club record for consecutive games, which is also the major league record of 2,632 set by Ripken. Jones would need to play roughly 15 1/2 more seasons to break Ripken’s record.
Jones has chided the Iron Man, saying that he is gunning for him.
“I told Cal I am inching closer and closer. He asked me where I was … I’ve got a couple years to go to catch him, but I’m gonna catch him,” Jones said. “If I had a kid now, they’d pretty much be in college and I’d still be playing every day. If I had one today. That’s how long I’d have to play to catch him.”
OriolsJones paused for a second and laughed: “I think it’s within reach.”