They were popping bottles on the Beltways on Tuesday night as the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals clinched their division titles. The mid-Atlantic neighbors joined the Los Angeles Angels in the postseason as a wide-open October tournament begins to take shape.
For the Orioles, the taste of champagne was especially sweet.
The Orioles won the AL East for the first time since 1997, and they marked the occasion with a celebration that lasted long after the final out of their clinching 8-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
A boisterous crowd of 35,279 cheered every out and stuck around an hour after the game to cheer the players, who returned to the field after celebrating with champagne and beer in the clubhouse.
“There are some great moments in your life,” manager Buck Showalter said. “This ranks right up there.”
Adam Jones mingled with the Camden Yards faithful and even delivered a pie to the face of one lucky (?) fan.
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The Nationals celebrated after wrapping up their second division title in three years.
Two years ago, the Nationals had a major league-leading 98 wins but were stunned by the St. Louis Cardinals in the deciding game of the NL division series. Washington jumped ahead 6-0 after three innings and still led 7-5 going to the ninth, only to give up four runs with two outs.
“We have a chance for redemption,” first baseman Adam LaRoche said.
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With AP