It wasn't time for any goodbyes just yet in the Orioles clubhouse tonight, but both Chris Davis and Matt Wieters spoke as players who knew they could be playing their last days as Orioles.
Both said it was speical to hit milestone homers in front of their home fans at Camden Yards. Davis hit his 200th and 201st career homers and Wieters hit No. 100 as the Orioles beat Toronto 8-1.
Davis said the milestone homer had meaning for him.
"I think so. Any milestone obviously means you've put in the work and the time and had some success. But I think it means even more to me being able to do it here," he said. "Something that has really meant a lot to me over the last few years, every home run I've hit in front of our fans. It's been a good place for me to hit and a place where I revived my career, so to speak. So, yeah, it was pretty special.
"I'm trying not to reminisce too much just yet. I definitely want to enjoy these last few games and take everything in being around these guys and playing in front of our fans. I try not to look too far ahead. If I did that, it would be a lot harder the last few days and that might take some of the joy away."
After a season where he hit just .196 and ended the year suspended and missing the playoffs, Davis is now batting .257 with 45 homers and 112 RBIs.
"Going into spring training, I was extremely disappointed with the year before. Just felt like I had a lot to prove. Not necessarily to the fans, but really to my teammates, the staff and people from around the organization," Davis said.
He was asked about watching the Blue Jays celebrate an American League East championship after their Game 1 win.
"They deserve it," Davis said. "No doubt about it. But it is always tough when you see another team accomplish what you have been working for on your own turf. I sat out there and watched them. That is the feeling we all want at the end of the year, that joy and excitement."
Wieters hit No. 100 in the eighth inning, and he got the ball from the fan who caught his milestone homer, which he said had meaning for him.
"It does. I've been pressing the last few games and wanted to hit 100 before this year is over," Wieters said. "No matter what happens in the future, I can say I hit 100 as an Oriole. This will be a different offseason for me. Not really knowing (the future). So, try to take in as much as I can. It's been a great time in Baltimore so I want to try and relive some memories."
Wieters said Kevin Gausman's secondary pitches were very solid tonight as the right-hander allowed five hits and one run over eight innings, with no walks and 10 strikeouts.
"I think that is the best changeup I've seen him have," Wieters said. "And his command with the fastball set that up. He was able to mix in some breaking balls, too.
"Nobody wanted to play like that in the first game, but once it's over our goal shifted to winning the second game. It was difficult (watching Toronto celebrate) because we're not there. The only hard part about watching them celebrate is it's not you doing it."
Gausman talked about his outing.
"I didn't want to walk anybody. I felt pretty good and like I kept them off-balance for the most part. Felt good about my breaking ball today. This was the type of game I needed to end the season on and obviously a good thing going forward," he said.
Manny Machado hit his 31st homer tonight. It broke the 0-0 tie in the seventh, and the Orioles kept hitting after that. But after the game, Machado threw some praise Davis' way.
"People doubted him, and he came back and showed it again. He's a great hitter. People talk his strikeout rate, but he responds with walks and home runs," Machado said. "He has been fun to watch and fun to learn from. Hopefully he comes back next year. He is a big key to this organization and the success we've had here the last couple of years."
Davis said for now he wants to embrace the final few days of this season, not knowing if his days as an Oriole are numbered.
"I think it is trying to enjoy being around these guys. We know we have several guys that could go to other teams, with uncertain futures here. We are trying to enjoy these last few days together. This is a special group of guys," Davis said. "It has been the four years I've been here. Every clubhouse group we've had has been extremely close, like a family. So it's going to be tough when the last day comes."
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