On Jones' final game, Showalter's uncertain future (O's win 4-0)

Adam Jones sprinted out of the dugout this afternoon before the playing of the national anthem, the center fielder always leading his teammates. Except when they stay back and leave him alone.

The Orioles lined up in front of the railing and applauded Jones, who tipped his cap to the crowd, his first display of emotion on the homestand.

The umpires also clapped for Jones at home plate as the ovation from the stands - the first of many today - gained momentum.

Jones lasted only one inning in center, moving to right in the top of the second. Cedric Mullins returned to center and DJ Stewart replaced him in left.

The crowd erupted again as Jones strolled to the plate with two outs in the first, but he didn't acknowledge it. Jones tugged on his batting gloves, took a practice swing and nodded toward Astros starter Charlie Morton, who stood behind the mound.

Jones struck out on a high fastball and no one seemed to care. He's getting cheered no matter what he does today.

The free agent market will include Jones, but will Buck Showalter be counted among the available managers?

A couple of fans clapped for Showalter as he came onto the field to dispute a hit by pitch ruling by plate umpire Chad Whitson in the third inning. The cheering grew louder as he returned to the bench, but nothing to raise goosebumps.

It's harder to honor a manager than an outfielder.

Asked before the game whether he expected to be in Baltimore next year, Showalter said, "To say I haven't given it some thought would be crazy. That would really insult your intelligence.

"But what is Jace Peterson thinking about today? What is Caleb Joseph thinking about? What is Adam Jones thinking about? What is Scott Coolbaugh thinking about? That's the industry. That's the way it is.

"Do you know for sure that you're going to be doing the exact same thing next year? What's the old expression? If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans. When I say we're trying to present the best we can today and try to win a game, I mean it. And those things have a way of ...

"You treat people like you'd like to be treated for the most part and see where life takes you, so I'm at peace with it."

Showalter said he's reflected enough today, but the media keeps pushing him for more. Perhaps moments that occur during the game.

"I already have," he said. "I take those in every day. It's almost a trait I didn't have sometimes. I've always been able to take in a moment while everybody was caught up in the celebration because I know these things are fleeting, but I've been doing that since I was 35 years old, 28 in Albany or wherever I was. I don't know where that came from. You've got to take them in, you've got to slow down.

"There's things that happen in, I don't want to name some place, that there's nobody in the stands and it's raining on the road on the West Coast or wherever, in Oakland late and I watch Adam do something that most people would have, I don't want to say mailed it in ... but that's the thing where I kind of step back and go, 'That's why, that's why.'"

Again, Showalter is pressed to explain why he's been reluctant to reflect. Same with Jones.

"You know why? Because it makes you sad. Do you want to do things that are sad?" Showalter replied.

"Because reflections like that on the past means there's no future, right? So, yeah. There's a time and place for that. But right now, I've got to stay in tune with what I'm supposed to do today, just like always."

People continue to reach out to Showalter as the season - and perhaps his tenure in Baltimore - draws to a close. They certainly mean well, but it's been taxing.

"Of course," he said. "These text messages. Got to kind of stop sometimes. You've got to keep your nose down and blinders on. It's tough."

Showalter's contract runs through October, but an announcement is expected to come later this week, though he said he hasn't been given a timetable. He met yesterday with an ownership representative, according to multiple sources.

"I don't know, same way it was their decision to give me a contract to start with," he said. "Really, truly, it isn't ... whatever timeframe somebody picks. I look at all the other people who have that. I was telling my wife (Angela) the other day, think about how many times you didn't have to think about things like this. You really don't. Instead of living in the present, you need to learn from the past, too.

"Mr. (Peter) Angelos' family has been great to me and mine, so whatever direction they decide to go, I'm at peace with it."

Showalter wouldn't delve into whether he'd want to manage elsewhere.

"I approach every job like it's your last," he said. "You should. You should never be thinking about another place, another job or whatever. I get people starting to go down that line and I stop them. Those things are down the road. Who knows where life is going to take you?

"I'm not coveting. Everything's got its strength and pluses and everything's got a dent in its armor. There's no perfect situation. Coveting other things is dangerous and there's no perfect situation, but it's fun trying to figure it out.

"We'll see where it takes us. I approach every job like that."

Jimmy Yacabonis has tossed four scoreless innings so far, needing only two pitches to record the first two outs and seven to get through the first frame. Double plays have bailed him out after he's put the first two runners on base in the third and fourth.

Morton came out of the game after three scoreless innings. Trey Mancini had the only hit.

Update: The Orioles scored four runs in the fourth to leave 4-0. Jonathan Villar doubled off Brad Peacock, stole third base and scored on Mancini's single. Mancini scored on Tim Beckham's double, and Renato Núñez followed wtih an RBI double. Catcher Max Stassi's throwing error plated the fourth run.

Update II: The Orioles defeated the Astros 4-0 for their seventh shutout of the season. They end the year with a 47-115.

Jones went 0-for-4. He came out of the game in the top of the ninth.