O's homer notes; Bowie closes in on franchise first

So while I was at Bowie last night, did anything interesting happen at Camden Yards?

Well, two grand slams in one inning would classify. Nolan Reimold and Steve Clevenger both hit their first career slams during the Orioles' 10-run eighth inning Friday night in a 14-8 win over Kansas City.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, the New York Mets were the last team to hit two grand slams in the same inning when they did so against the Chicago Cubs on July 16, 2006. Carlos Beltran and Cliff Floyd connected in the sixth inning. The last time the Orioles recorded two grand slams in the same inning was August 6, 1986 against Texas when Jim Dwyer and Larry Sheets did it.

The Orioles are hitting the longball again. They have hit at least two home runs in six of their past eight games, hitting 18 total in that stretch.

Over the last four games, the Orioles hit have nine homers and scored 27 runs. This followed a stretch in which they scored three or fewer runs 13 times in 17 games.

Is this the year for Bowie?: If the Double-A Bowie Baysox can win one more game in their playoff series with Altoona, the Baysox will achieve a first. In the team's 23-year history, Bowie is 0-5 all-time in playoff series. Twice in club history - in 1994 and 2012 - Bowie led a series 2-0, then lost three straight.

When their series with Altoona started on Wednesday night, Bowie took a 7-0 lead in the second inning. Then the Baysox lost 8-7 when the Curve scored three in the last of the ninth for the walk-off win.

Was Bowie going through playoff heartbreak yet again?

Maybe not this time. Since that seemingly devastating loss in Game 1, Bowie beat Altoona 7-0 and 11-3 the last two nights. Two blowout wins and they head into Game 4 tonight, needing one victory to play for the Eastern League championship starting next Tuesday.

The Baysox players may not even know the team playoff history. But they know the current roster is driven to win a championship.

"It is extremely important," first baseman Trey Mancini said of the playoffs. "This is why we play. No matter what level you are at, you want to win a championship. We'll see our family and friends soon enough. It is really rewarding to make the postseason and make a run at it."

Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski echoed those comments.

"The playoffs are important to us," Yastrzemski said. "We don't want the season to end. It is fun trying to represent the organization as best as we can. We want to grow as players and play deep into October one day and win a World Series. So learning to play in these tight, important games is part of that development."

After he drove in six runs with two homers in last night's blowout win, outfielder Quincy Latimore talked about chasing a title.

"If we are going to be in it, we might as well win it. Let's go out and win. I don't think there is anyone that doesn't want to be in the spot we're in. We've had a great group of guys with good chemistry," he said.

Bowie manager Gary Kendall is quite aware of the Baysox's tough postseason history. He'd like to see this group change that later tonight at Prince George's Stadium.

"It would mean a lot for the Orioles organization and we're all part of that, but it would be nice for Bowie. I was here scouting when this team played at Memorial Stadium in 1993. A lot of good players have been Baysox. You'd like to accomplish something with a special group of guys. It would mean a lot to our players. Really proud of them," Kendall said after Friday's win.

Bowie has scored 25 runs on 37 hits in the three games in this series, batting .395 (15-for-38) with runners in scoring position. In Game 4 tonight, right-hander David Hess (1-1, 4.50 ERA) pitches for Bowie against right-hander Jason Creasy (12-8, 4.41 ERA) at 6:35 p.m.

Triple-A Norfolk plays at Columbus tonight with that best-of-five series tied 1-1. Norfolk won 6-1 Friday as Henry Urrutia and Christian Walker hit two-run homers. Tonight, Elih Villanueva (4-5, 4.71 ERA) pitches against right-hander Will Roberts (3-4, 3.06 ERA).