Jones on scoreboard watching and the Orioles' bullpen, plus other notes

After the latest Orioles' win last night over Tampa Bay, Adam Jones said the players do indeed check out the standings sometimes. Right now, it shows them leading the American League East by seven games over the New York Yankees. "We'd be lying if we said we aren't looking," Jones said. "That is just human nature. But we also know that we have to take care of our business. It doesn't matter what the Yankees or Toronto do if we don't take of ours, it all goes for nothing." The series with the Rays gave the Orioles yet another chance to prove they could overcome a tough loss, or in this case, a tough series after being swept by the Cubs. You can't keep the 2014 Orioles down for long. After they scored just four runs in three games at Wrigley Field, they scored 19 runs in taking three of four from Tampa Bay. The Rays staff entered the series with a 2.54 team ERA in August and their starting pitchers had pitched to an ERA of 1.55 over the previous 17 games. Speaking of good pitching, the Orioles bullpen put up three more scoreless innings last night. The O's 'pen has now produced 16 straight scoreless innings in the last five games and has an ERA of 1.19 in the last 15 games. The Orioles bullpen right now looks as good as any in the game. "I don't want to jinx us by saying they are lights out, but they are pretty dang good," Jones said. "We've faced some tough bullpens this second half with Seattle and you rank them up there with K.C.'s and Seattle's 'pen right now. They are not just throwing strikes, but getting strikeouts and making it a little easier for the defense." A few more notes on the Orioles: * Steve Pearce has an 11-game hitting streak going, a career-best. He is batting .333 (15-for-45) with five doubles, five homers, 11 runs and six RBIs during the streak. * Zach Britton has converted 14 straight saves since July 19 and is now 29-for-32 (90.6 percentage) for the season. Britton has needed just 42 pitches to record his last four saves, which he has gotten with 13, 11, 10 and eight pitches. * According to STATS, Nick Markakis tied Cal Ripken Jr. last night for second-most games played as an Oriole at Camden Yards by playing in his 674th game. Brady Anderson ranks first with 700 games. * The Orioles are now 26-19 in one-run games and are 15-6 at home. That is the best record in the American League. .578 - Orioles (26-19) .558 - Los Angeles (24-19) .553 - New York (21-17) * Catcher Caleb Joseph had two hits last night. Over his last 15 games, Joseph is batting .314 (16-for-51) with three doubles, five homers and 11 RBIs. * Over their last five games, the Orioles team ERA is 2.05. Their ERA for the season is 3.58, which would be their lowest in a full season since 1979, when the American League champions had a mark of 3.26. The team record is 2.53 in 1972. * The Orioles are 33-20 against the AL East. They have won five straight and seven of their last eight series within the division. The Orioles have lost just one of their last 14 AL East series, going 11-1-2.