Showalter expresses interest in keeping Bourn (O's lead 8-1)

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter can envision a scenario where outfielder Michael Bourn fits on next season's club no matter how the other personnel moves unfold.

Bourn has made a solid impression since the Orioles acquired him from the Diamondbacks on Aug. 31 for minor league pitcher Jason Heinrich. He's 9-for-36 heading into tonight's game against the Yankees, but it includes a double, two home runs and six RBIs. He's also drawn three walks and stolen two bases.

Joey Rickard is the team leader in steals with four and he hasn't played since July 20 because of a thumb injury.

"He's the type of guy you'd like to keep around," Showalter said. "He's more than a fourth outfielder. I'd love to see scouts' definition of fourth outfielders and fifth outfielders."

Bourn gives the Orioles added dimensions with his speed and daring on the basepaths, which come in handy in a pennant race. He swiped a base in each of the last two games in Toronto.

"It helps," Showalter said. "Also, Mike's got 10 years in the big leagues. He's been in playoff situations. The thing I like is he's not afraid. And I applaud him whether he's out or safe. You've got to have that attitude.

"Those are the tough ones, the 1.2 or 1.35 that you've got to get a good jump and you've got to be able to run well and you've got to be able to slide well. A lot of things. That's why he's played so long and why we tried to acquire him, because he ain't scared. He knows what he's supposed to bring and he's going to try to bring it. He's going to let it rip.

"He's got a little richer pedigree than some people might give him credit for."

Braves president of baseball operations John Hart offered a strong endorsement of Bourn, a pending free agent, and the words stayed with Showalter.

"John Hart said, 'You're going to love Michael Bourn,' " Showalter recalled. "He said, 'He's a baseball player, loves to play, great teammate.' "

Bourn's defense is a primary reason why the Orioles wanted him. He's a natural center fielder to back up Adam Jones and is a plus glove at all three spots. Anything else is a bonus.

As the conversation today centered on Bourn's stolen bases, Showalter momentarily changed the subject by saying, "He made a couple plays in right field that we may not have been able to make."

Could Bourn, 33, be making those plays again for the Orioles in 2017?

They can make room for a left-handed hitting outfielder with plus speed and defensive skills. Rickard could remain with the club next season, no longer holding Rule 5 status, but he's a right-handed hitter. Bourn would provide a nice complement.

Meanwhile, tonight's game started on time. Rain continues to fall and it's only 56 degrees, but they're playing.

Update: The Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Jonathan Schoop's two-run double, but the Yankees got a run back in the bottom half on Mark Teixeira's sacrifice fly.

Neither team had a hit until Chris Davis' two-out single in the fourth.

Update II: Adam Jones led off the top of the fifth by homering into the second deck in left field to give the Orioles a 3-1 lead. Hyun Soo Kim reached on an infield hit and Mark Trumbo hit his 47th home run to increase the lead to 5-1 and end Michael Pineda's night.

Update III: Schoop hit a three-run homer off left-hander James Pazos in the fifth to complete a six-run outburst that gave the Orioels an 8-1 lead. Schoop has five RBIs tonight. The Orioles have 250 home runs this season.