Hearing from Showalter after 2-1 win

Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles won't need to make a roster move for a fresh bullpen arm Saturday after Miguel Gonzalez worked eight innings in a 2-1 victory over the Rays.

Darren O'Day was the only reliever used, and he escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the ninth.

It still may be a few more days before the bullpen can be viewed as properly rested, but the Orioles made it through tonight.

Gonzalez allowed one run and three hits in eight innings, but he didn't get the decision.

"Miguel was the difference," Showalter said. "That's impressive. In the American League East, guys see him so much. There's no secrets. Miguel was as sharp as you want to see. It was tough not sending him back out there, but he had done his job at 96. Plus, where they were in the order.

"It didn't look too promising there with Darren for a while. That's the other thing. When you've got an option like Darren down in the bullpen with all those right-handed hitters, it worked out. We were fortunate.

"We only used Darren, so that's good. We're probably a day or two away from ... Very appreciative of it. His bullpen mates are. But we're still a day or two away. It's very hard to do. That was big for a day. Probably some guys in Norfolk and Bowie aren't too happy with him."

O'Day gave up back-to-back singles and hit Logan Forsythe to load the bases before getting two strikeouts and a ground ball.

"He made a good pitch to (Evan) Longoria," Showalter said. "Longoria is just a good hitter. He flipped it into the center. The hit by pitch, he's not going to let it go over the plate. Let's face it, I probably would have taken Miguel out anyway, but Darren, having that top option down there made it a lot easier. A lot of people after that inning starts can't fight through it and keep us engaged. I would have taken 2-1."

The game ended with J.J. Hardy's walk-off single with two outs in the ninth. Hardy lined a pitch from reliever Steve Geltz into left field and a sellout crowd erupted.

Hardy entered the game batting .194, and he struck out twice and flied out before his final at-bat.

"He's had a couple big knocks like that where he didn't look particularly ..." Showalter said. "Look at their pitching. It's hard to group much together. J.J., he's very calm. He hits in those situations like he plays defense. Very calm and efficient."

Does this mean the Orioles (23-24) are ready to go on a run instead of hovering around .500? Does this mean they've turned a corner by winning four of their last six games?

"Not necessarily," Showalter said. "We were 24-22 at this point last year. I was looking at some offensive comparisons and how many categories we're better in this year than last year. It is a little bit of a reminder to me personally, one, how hard this is to do and for the most part how well we've pitched from the starting pitching standpoint.

"We'll seek our level. We will be who were are. I have a lot of confidence in that. That's comforting for me."

Showalter said he's still deciding whether Bud Norris makes another injury rehab start or rejoins the rotation next week in Houston.

"I wanted to see how the game went tonight. See if Bud might be an option for us in the bullpen," Showalter said.

"He's either going to pitch one more time or pitch for us in Houston. He'll know about it before you all."

Either way, Norris is going to be starting for the Orioles once he's deemed ready. Showalter again reminded reporters that Norris won 15 games last season.

"I have a long memory," he said.