A Bourn leadoff hitter

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't spend last night watching the other games that impacted his team's pursuit of a wild card berth, opting instead for college football. He had more interest in Clemson vs. Louisville than Toronto vs. Boston.

Showalter said Dylan Bundy is available in the bullpen today. He has an idea who would start a wild card game, but won't reveal his choice, in part because he said it could change later.

The obvious candidates are Chris Tillman and Ubaldo Jimenez.

Showalter is giving Michael Bourn his first start in the leadoff spot since joining the Orioles. Bourn took the assignment in stride, probably because it will be his 890th start atop the order.

"It is what it is, you know?" he said, amused by the crowd around his locker. "I'm in the leadoff spot, so I've got some experience there. Go out and still play baseball. We need to win today, so be ready to play."

Showalter didn't alert Bourn before leaving the clubhouse last night.

"I walked in and looked at the lineup card," Bourn said, smiling. "Sometimes, it's better that way. He's the manager, so I'm behind it. I go out there and play and be ready for pitch one."

Bourn has reached base in six straight plate appearances while also offering speed on the bases and solid defense in the outfield. He made a sliding catch Friday night on a muddy field.

Nothing beats contributing in a playoff race, especially as one of the new guys.

"It's fun," he said. "To be part of a pennant race and have a chance to go to the playoffs and play meaningful games this time of the year, I don't take it for granted. I'm happy about it. Just go out there and play baseball and enjoy it while you're out there."

It's more satisfying after considering that the Braves released Bourn on April 9 and the Blue Jays let him go on May 7. He signed with the Diamondbacks three days later.

"How it did start, yeah, it feels good," Bourn said, another smile creasing his face.

"Just continue to fight and continue to battle and continue to do all I can to play baseball. It's a game I've been able to play for a long time even going back to it as a kid. It's just the opportunity you get and everybody doesn't get to play in the big leagues. I was blessed and I was able to play here. I'm thankful just for that, so all the opportunities I get I just try to go out there and let my light shine."

Adam Jones is batting second today, but Bourn also has been one spot ahead of him in previous games as the No. 9 hitter. Is there much difference today?

"It's different because I'll be starting off the game, but you've still got to go out there and play," Bourn said. "That's baseball. Once they start pitching, you're going to start hitting and you're not going to be thinking about all that. You're just going to get in there and try to see the ball and hit it.

"For me, it's not like I've never played there before. So, getting used to it and it's Game 162, so let's see what happens."

Let's see how the Orioles bounce back from yesterday's loss, a game they led 3-0 in the fifth inning and 3-2 heading into the seventh. The result was a gut-punch, but Bourn already senses that his new teammates are a resilient bunch.

"I do," he said. "We've got some veteran leadership in here. We just take one day at a time. I don't think we overlook things too much.

"It's crazy because it's still like a laidback atmosphere, but still intense at the same time. Kind of hard to describe but that's the way it is. I think we're all behind each other and we all try to play as hard as we can."

And that includes Game 162. With Bourn the new leadoff hitter.