Orioles sweep Rangers and sweat their travel plans

BOSTON - If you happen to check the American League East standings, you may notice that the Orioles are listed first. They swept the Rangers in a four-game series to conclude their homestand. Four games without third baseman Manny Machado, whose suspension ends on Saturday. They played nine innings uninterrupted, which isn't how Rangers manager Ron Washington pictured it happening while scratching starter Yu Darvish. Did the lines of weather communication get crossed? The Orioles need to sleep fast. Manager Buck Showalter had no idea how they would make it to Boston, telling reporters the charter couldn't get to them before 2 a.m. He mentioned the possibility of taking a train or a bus. Maybe he should do a buddy flick with Steve Martin. "I could say a few things," Showalter said, "but I'm not going to." I'm sure it has something to do with this ridiculous schedule, the one that keeps forcing them to play night games in one city and day games in another city. No charter before 2 a.m.? No problem. I bet Steve Pearce could get his pilot license in about 15 minutes. Pearce had four hits, two RBIs and two stolen bases. He also redirected the storm to Boston. It was pouring when I arrived here. Pearce is batting .338 in 48 games. If he's dreaming, do not wake him up. Unless, you know, he really can do that whole pilot thing. It probably didn't garner the same attention, but catcher Nick Hundley had two more hits and is batting .261. He's got eight hits in his last 18 at-bats. Caleb Joseph will be behind the plate for the series opener against the Red Sox, assuming he followed orders and slept fast. Then again, the entire team can grab a nap during the rain delay if the forecast holds true. The folks here celebrated the Fourth of July last night because they won't be able to keep their powder dry. The last I heard, we're supposed to get periodic rain. Heavy periodic rain. Sideways periodic rain with all the trimmings - thunder, lightning, heavy winds. It's too soon to speculate on a postponement, but we won't entertain the thought of a Saturday day-night doubleheader. The Orioles return to Fenway Park in September. Pearce promises an on-time departure.