The Orioles did not clinch the AL East tonight. But it wasn’t through any fault of their own.
The Birds more than did their part, steamrolling the Nationals, 5-1, to complete a four-game season series sweep of their interleague rivals. Unfortunately, they got no help from the useless Red Sox, who lost again to the Rays to keep Tampa Bay mathematically within reach of the Orioles.
For now, the O’s will have to settle for their 99th win and a magic number of one. With just one victory in their season-ending four-game set against those same useless Red Sox, the Orioles will win the division.