Orioles talk about the ending and win over the Rays

In a short time with the Orioles - just 12 games - outfielder Michael Bourn has made a nice impact. Tonight in a short time at the end of Friday's game he made a big impact.

Bourn drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth and was involved with the relay play that cut down the potential tying run at the plate to secure the Orioles' 5-4 win over the Rays.

Bourn's sac fly in the eighth capped a two-run rally from a 4-3 deficit. Then the relay ended the game and kept closer Zach Britton from his first blown save since late last year.

With Mikie Mahtook on first and two outs, Alexei Ramirez lined a ball into the left-field corner. Mahtook was cut down at the plate as Bourn threw to Manny Machado, who threw to Matt Wieters, to make the tag and get the out that produced a thrilling ending to the Orioles' 81st win.

Bourn was not surprised the Rays pushed the envelope there going for the tie.

"I was assuming he would try," Bourn said. "A 3-2 count, he's already running and when you've got your closer on the mound you probably get only so many chances so when you get that chance right there, you know they're probably going to try to send him. So I'm trying to get to it as quickly as I can, try to get to it before it hit the wall and get it in to J.J. (Hardy) or Manny and let them do the rest."

In the eighth, Bourn's sac fly to left broke the 4-4 tie.

"I'm trying to get a pitch that I can handle," he said. "He's a good reliever. I was able to get the barrel to the ball. It was kind of in actually, and I was still able to hit it to left field and I was able to get it deep enough to where Nolan (Reimold) was able to score."

Bourn is batting .273 with two homers and five RBIs in 22 at-bats and is 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

He was acquired from Arizona on Aug. 31 for minor league outfielder Jason Heinrich.

"Difference is, you get to play meaningful games (here)," he said. "Arizona gave me an opportunity to play this year, and my year didn't start out how I wanted to, but I'm thankful for them. But at the end of the day, it's September, and you'd like to play games that mean something and be in playoff contention. You don't know how many times you to get to play this time of year and have it be meaningful. When it's not happening for you, then you realize it. You take it for granted, good team after good team. But I've had some good teams, some teams not so good. I'm thankful for it, man. I'm happy to be here. Every day you get to come to the park, every day means something."

More clubhouse quotes:

Hyun Soo Kim on an exciting game: "It was the most exciting game I have played in this year. I expect there are more coming."

Kim on the last out: "Buck made an excellent choice of a defensive replacement," he said laughing, as he was the one replaced. "Could I get him out, maybe not? Buck made an excellent choice."

Britton on the last play: "It was pretty impressive. When we got Michael, we knew the defense was definitely a plus and he's shown he's a good hitter too. That was impressive, that was big right there. Obviously, I wasn't very sharp. CD (Chris Davis) he made a tough play too. It was a battle and (Steven) Souza (Jr.) had a great at-bat off me. It was just a great play all-around by Manny (Machado) on the throw and Wheaty (Matt Wieters) on the tag. He does that tag right there probably better than anyone in the game, that was huge."

Britton on eighth-inning rally that included an infield hit and sac fly: "It's a little different, right? You've got to get the job done somehow. Sometimes it's not with the home run. Sometimes it's putting the ball in play and getting a guy in. Obviously we are known for the power more so than manufacturing the runs, but every now and then we find a way to do it. That's what you're going to have to do if you want to get into the postseason, get late into October."

O's starter Ubaldo Jimenez on the win: "It was an amazing game. It was a hard team win. We got a W and it wasn't just one guy. Everyone did it. It's one of those games at the end of the season, if we get where we are looking for, it is one of those games that you could point at as the game that made the difference."

Jimenez on his five shutout innings after the second frame: "I was trying to get my sinker down and I was able to get my breaking balls back in a good rhythm. I was able to throw it whenever I needed it. They came out hacking right away."

Wieters on the last play and manager challenge replay review to see if there was a violation of the home-plate collision rule: "Knowing the rule I made sure that the ball was released and it was kind of taking me in that way before I kind of closed in a little bit there. It's a rule that a couple of years ago we went through a lot with it and tried to get the exact wording. Knew that if the throw took me in there that I was okay. Once I caught it I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the tag.

"It was 3-2 so you know he got a little head start at first base. Once Michael gets the ball, just hoping he hits one of J.J. (Hardy) or Manny and had a pretty good idea I'd get a good throw at the plate. Just catch it and put it down. Now with replay you want to try and get the tag down as far away from the plate as you can so you don't want to leave any doubt."