Pearce, Walker and Norris comment after O's beat Blue Jays

After he hit two homers tonight, Steve Pearce almost got hit. Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez threw a pitch high and tight toward Pearce in the seventh inning. It hit his bat and not him, but it was curious to say the least.

Pearce was asked if he thought Sanchez threw at him.

"I don't know. You have to ask him that. No idea," he said.

Was it somewhat scary considering the Orioles are now just 10 games away from the postseason?

"It's baseball," Pearce said. "It's scary as a hitter. He's got two more pitches left. That was even more scary. The crowd let him hear it. We'll evaluate it later. It is what it is."

What this is for Pearce is his best big league season. He hit homers 19 and 20 tonight and drove in four in the Orioles' 6-1 win.

"I didn't think it (20 homers) was possible but it's been a great year. Not over yet. It's a great feeling," Pearce said. "Great to contribute on this team and win ballgames.

"Staying healthy and the opportunity (has been the key). Never had a chance to go out there and play every single day. Still have five years in the big leagues. They know I can play but never had a chance to go out there and put it all together. I'll sit down and evaluate my year when it's all over, but right now still have a job to do."

The Orioles did their job tonight, posting their 92nd win a night after the big celebration.

"That is what we do," Pearce said."Flush everything out and come back and find ways to win. We've been like this all year."

Pearce talked about Christian Walker getting his first big league hit. They both played at the University of South Carolina, and they're now O's teammates.

"Yeah, I was pulling for him so hard. Told him earlier tonight wish he would have been called up one day earlier to celebrate with us," Pearce said. "He's a great kid."

Walker doubled off Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ after starting his night 0-for-2. He lined his first big league hit into the left-field corner.

"Exciting. It's awesome," Walker said. "A big part of my game is hitting and I enjoy doing that and for good things to happen like that, it's a good feeling. Not too nervous, anxious for sure. Wanted to get the game underway, and instincts, took over and it was a lot of fun."

Has it set in yet that he's an Oriole with his first bit league hit?

"I don't think it really has. It's awesome. Great group of guys to be around. Lot of guys here I can learn from," Walker said. "It's a relief to get that first one out of the way for sure, but hopefully it's the first of many."

Walker is from Norristown, Pa., and said he had 10 or more family members in the crowd tonight. As for the ball from that first hit? It's heading north.

"Probably home with my dad. Get it authenticated and send it home with some family," Walker said.

Meanwhile, Bud Norris got the win tonight. He issued a season-high five walks but just two hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

"Tough lineup there," he said. "I knew Paul (Schreiber's) zone would be tight. He's notorius around the league for being a little tighter. Just tried to stay competitive in those situations and put up zeroes.

"I tried to get as much sleep as I could (last night). Was still pretty excited. We've already clinched but want to do my part. Keep auditioning for the postseason, so glad we got another win."

Norris was asked about Pearce.

"Steve has been an unsung hero for sure. He's healthy and happy and doing what he can for this team. Couldn't be happier for him," he said.

Now the Orioles head into an off-day on Thursday, their last of the regular season. Are they looking forward to the day off? Pearce probably summed up for the whole team.

"Very much."