The Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 on Tuesday night at Camden Yards, clinching their first American League East title in 17 seasons.
Orioles beat Blue Jays to clinch first AL East title in 17 years
The Orioles beat the Blue Jays in Baltimore on Tuesday night, clinching the American League East for the first time since 1997.
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
The Orioles last won the AL East in 1997, but suffered through 14 consecutive losing seasons before returning to the postseason as a Wild Card team in 2012. This is their second playoff appearance in three seasons.
Steve Pearce hit a three-run homer in the first inning, the 18th long ball of the season for the 31-year-old journeyman, one more home run than he had in 290 major league games before 2014.
Ubaldo Jimenez struck out six and allowed two runs for the win, though he was removed after five innings and 97 pitches with a 4-2 lead. The bullpen combined for four scoreless innings to close out the game. Alejandro De Aza broke the game open with a bases-loaded triple in the ninth inning.
Baltimore (91-60) was the first team to clinch its division, but wasn't the first team to clinch a playoff spot. The Los Angeles Angels (94-56) took those honors with a win on Monday night, ensuring at least a Wild Card spot.
The American League Wild Card Game will be held on Tuesday, Sep. 30, televised by TBS. The winner will play the AL team with the best record in the Division Series. Both ALDS will begin on Thursday, Oct. 2.
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