Britton on All-Star exclusion: "I don't think there's a disappointment"

It's unfortunate that the Orioles had another game postponed last night due to rain, especially after waiting through a 2-hour, 30-minute delay. But on the plus side, it made for a pleasant drive home. Not a single drop the entire way. Maybe they could have played. Rain delays and extra innings. It's been that kind of a season so far. The Orioles are 8-3 in extras this year after going 8-7 in 2013. They're 32-12 since the start of 2012, and 14-5 in games that have gone 12 or more innings, including the postseason. According to home run historian David Vincent, the Orioles on Monday night became only the fifth team to hit three homers in the same extra inning, joining the Royals in 2002, the Giants in 2001, the Milwaukee Braves in 1965 and the Twins in 1964. The Orioles have hit 111 home runs and are on pace to finish with 202, which would be the eighth-highest total in club history. They hit 212 last season, which ranks fifth. Nelson Cruz has 28 homers and is on pace for 51. His career-high is 33 in 2009. Cruz's 28 homers are the third-most in club history before the break, trailing Chris Davis' 37 last year and Brady Anderson's 30 in 1996. The Orioles will attempt to move 10 games above .500 tonight for the first time since Sept. 17, 2013. Manager Buck Showalter wasn't going to use closer Zach Britton in Monday night's game, having decided to rest the left-hander no matter the circumstances. Britton was available last night and appreciative of Showalter being so careful with his relievers, and he certainly can take the ball tonight. Britton is regarded as one of the All-Star snubs this year, but he's not holding a pity party for himself. No pointed hat with the elastic string under his chin. No ice cream cake. And the only noise-maker is Britton preaching how snubbed teammates Nick Markakis and Darren O'Day are more deserving of the honor. Markakis is batting .295/.355/.407 with 19 doubles, seven homers and 32 RBIs as the Orioles' leadoff hitter. He ranks second in the majors with 35 multi-hit games. O'Day's 1.13 ERA in 39 games ranks first among relievers in the American League. He's walked nine (two intentional) and struck out 40 in 39 2/3 innings. Three Orioles were voted into the All-Star Game - Cruz, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters. Two will be in the lineup. Wieters will be on the field for pregame ceremonies. Britton, with his 1.36 ERA and 14 saves, will be content to stay home. "I don't think there's a disappointment," he said. "Obviously, everyone wants to be an All-Star. I think there's a couple guys in this clubhouse, especially Darren and Nick, who were pretty surprising to me individually that they didn't get selected. Especially the way Nick's performed. "He plays at an All-Star level. He just hasn't gotten an opportunity to play in the game. Doesn't seem to make much sense when you put up the numbers to be an All-Star like he has and he didn't get selected. But everyone else who got selected on our team - Jonesy, Cruz, Wiety - those guys deserved it and we're really happy for them." Markakis has never been an All-Star and appears to be one of those players who's only appreciated if you watch him every day. Britton subscribes to that theory. "I do," he said. "It's tough because when fans are voting or another manager is picking, you don't know their frame of mind or whatever, and we're around these guys every day. So, a guy like Darren especially and Nick, I think they're definitely under-appreciated throughout the game. But to us, these guys should be All-Stars just the way they've consistently performed over their career. It's not just a one-season thing. "For Darren, this is who he is. He's a consistent reliever. Nick's a consistent outfielder for us, and the way those two guys are playing for us this year, it's surprising that they didn't get the opportunity this year. Maybe there will be some changes to the roster and those guys will get a chance."