A few early notes from Fenway Park

BOSTON - Rather than early hitting today, the Orioles are focused on fielding drills involving their new double play combination.

Third base coach Bobby Dickerson, who works with the infielders, has been hitting ground balls to shortstop Ryan Flaherty and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. One player fields the ball and the other covers the bag.

Flaherty was getting a lot of work to his backhand side. He's also charging balls and throwing on the run.

J.J. Hardy, scheduled to have an MRI today on his back, will remain in Baltimore while Flaherty gets the starts at shortstop.

Chris Tillman has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 17 consecutive starts since June 10, the fifth-longest streak in club history. He's registered a 2.26 ERA over 111 2/3 innings and lowered his season mark from 5.20 to 3.40.

Tillman has a chance tonight to tie Steve Barber (June 12, 1966 to May 14, 1967) for the fourth-longest streak in club history.

The Orioles recorded their 11th shutout of the season last night, their highest total since 1999. The last time they had more than 11 shutouts was 1992, when their pitching staff tossed 16.

The club record for shutouts in a season is 21 in 1961. Barber led the staff with eight and Milt Pappas had four.

Three more wins will give the Orioles 87 for the season and 5,000 in club history, including the regular season and playoffs.

The Orioles own the best in-division winning percentage in the American League, going 35-22 (.614). Their percentage ranks sixth in club history and is their best mark since 1980, when they were 49-29 (.628).

The club record is .678 (61-29) in 1970. And as I recall, that season ended on a positive note.