Hearing from Pearce, Hunter, Showalter and Gonzalez after 4-0 win

BOSTON - The Orioles' magic number is down to 11 and their lead in the American League East is up to 10.

Try wrapping your arms around this one: The Orioles haven't led by that many games since Sept. 22, 1979. None of the current Orioles were born.

"We hear it, we hear what's going on, but it doesn't feel like that," said first baseman Steve Pearce, who contributed two hits and an aggressive slide into second base in the Orioles' 4-0 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

"We still know we've got a job to do, and we go out there and we play. We play hard and we let everything else take care of itself.

"We pitch, we've been hitting. We're really jelling together as a team."

Reliever Tommy Hunter, who struck out three of the four batters he faced after replacing starter Miguel Gonzalez, proved that he's not scoreboard watching.

"I just asked if New York won tonight, and they didn't even play, so that tells you how much we pay attention to that kind of stuff," he said. "I mean, we've got a good thing going here. We're going to ride it as long as we can. Hopefully, we can chance to play a couple of games in October.

"We work hard. We've worked hard this year. We've played really good baseball and we're going to continue to do that."

Pearce broke up a double play in the sixth after the Orioles loaded the bases with no outs. He took out Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who bounced a throw to first for an error that allowed two runs to score.

"It was a big part of the game," he said. "That gave us two more insurance runs, so to me I think that was a big turning point."

Manager Buck Showalter was asked whether it was a clean, aggressive slide.

"What else would it be?" he replied. "He's fine. That's baseball. We'd feel the same way if they did it. We don't think twice about it and I don't think they do, either. We don't think anything about the slide into second on Jonathan (Schoop) when he turned the double play."

The Orioles turned three double plays and prevented the Red Sox from completing what seemed like 15 or 20.

"I'll tell you what, a lot of the double plays were because of foot speed, if you look at the people who beat them out," Showalter said. "That's why, because of the foot speed.

"That's the way Stevie, everybody... That's the way Boston plays, too. That's why they've had so much success."

Gonzalez's run of success has been astounding. He's the first Orioles pitcher to not allow a run in consecutive starts of six or more innings in the same season since Erik Bedard in 2007.

"It's good," Showalter said. "Any time he has the type of outing he had last time, you're wondering how he's going to respond the next time out, but I think he answered those questions pretty well. Miggy is attacking the strike zone with a lot of different pitches, and really pitching confident because he's got command of three pitches.

"The way he is pitching right now, you can talk about him the way you talk about a lot of good pitchers. You better get him early, because once he gets his feet on the ground and realizes he's carrying good stuff again, he's going to make it work for him. He was solid. And a big outing out of Tommy and Darren (O'Day). And Ryan Webb at the end, that was key to keep us away from having to extend somebody again. I was only going to use Darren for a couple hitters tonight."

It's especially impressive how Gonzalez is coming up big in September.

"I tell you, Miggy has very solidly been a guy," Showalter said. "It kind of reminds you that's why we tried to be protective with him and make sure that he is physically (fine) and we're getting a return some now, I think, for being (cautious). Him and some of our pitchers seem to be getting a little stronger as we get into September."

Gonzalez was satisfied with his outing, but he's always low-key after his starts.

"I thought I went out there, mixed up some good pitches," he said. "Caleb (Joseph) like always doing a great job. Boston is aggressive. I tried to move my pitches when I needed to and they had some good plays behind me.

"Staying positive and staying aggressive every time I go out there and not do too much. Especially like today, it was a big zone. I thought we made some good plays behind me. Everybody, they did their job. Our offense was great.

"I think every game is important from now on. I've just got to keep giving my team a chance to win ballgames and stay aggressive. It's been working for me so far. I'm happy. I'm happy for my teammates and myself."

Asked about his confidence level, Gonzalez replied, "It's good. feeling good. That's important. Mentally, you've got to stay strong as it goes."

The Orioles are getting stronger, winning twice since those two losses at Tropicana Field and building their largest division lead in 35 years.

"It's been incredible," Gonzalez said. "I think our defense and offense has been there for us the whole year, just giving us the opportunity to win games. And that's what we are here for."

"It's just a step," Showalter said. "Every night. you get the opportunity to take a step toward you goal. Like Boston has done. They set a real good example last year.

"At times this year you realize how fleeting and how close it all is. It's all relevant. The difference between this year and last year is such a fine line, it's not near the separator people think it is when they look at games ahead or behind."