Showalter on delay, Norris and 5-4 victory

Good morning from Camden Yards, where the grounds crew is watering the infield following a 5-4 victory over the Reds.

It hasn't rained in a while.

The Orioles were delayed but not denied, posting their 80th win and improving to 38-18 since June 30.

Zach Britton recorded his 32nd save, with Jonathan Schoop turning a 4-3 double play on Todd Frazier's grounder after the Reds put runners on the corners with one out.

Down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier.

Bud Norris withstood two delays to blank the Reds over six innings. He threw on the indoor mound while waiting out the 1 hour, 46 minute delay in the top of the first inning.

"It's a tribute to our facility," said manager Buck Showalter. "Their guys were doing a similar thing. That's why I said when we were in Chicago you couldn't have done that. But Dave (Wallace) and Bud every 10 or 12 minutes went in and played some catch.

"I was real close not letting him go back out there. The big thing I was seeing how the ball he took off the shin was managing. That was more of an issue for me than the delay. Plus, he had only thrown 10 pitches. But that was pretty impressive to go out there.

"One of the keys to the game was that inning. They had a man (Billy Hamilton) on second and nobody out. Obviously a good baserunner and Caleb (Joseph) throws him out and we get out of the inning. We seemed to get a lot of momentum out of that."

The field was a mess following a storm that arrived within seconds and without warning, but the grounds crew made it playable and the game continued.

"You all know how the weather is here," Showalter said. "I think we have the best groundskeeper in the business. Nicole (McFadyen) is outstanding. She's done such a good job with the prediction of the weather and that thing just popped up and they had to get it on there before we lost the seal. We knew it was going to take a little while to get it back playable again, but it's a tribute to them and the grounds crew.

"I came so close to going out there and grabbing a couple of players. I've pulled quite a few tarps on and off the field in my life, but I was afraid we'd mess it up more than anything. But Bud was good."

The Orioles collected five runs and 10 hits off Reds starter Mat Latos in five innings while building a 5-0 lead.

"There's some unknown there. Lean on some guys who have seen him before as much as you do the advance reports," Showalter said. "I don't want to get into naming names, but we had some guys who had seen him and other guys down there.

"We were fortunate there, had some balls fall in, a couple swinging bunts. Of course, they did, too. What a play by Jon (Schoop) there. Tough call whether to play the infield up or back, but Jon made a heck of a play there."

The Reds challenged the call, adding one last burst of drama, before fans were sent home.

"Wasn't really close," Showalter said. "I don't know why I thought they weren't able to challenge that at a certain point. I was surprised they even went through it."

The game was played with only three umpires after Hamilton collided with Mike DiMuro as he crossed first base in the opening inning.

"Jerry Lane was telling me (DiMuro) had some neck surgery before," Showalter said. "I know he felt like a concussion. Makes you wonder why it doesn't happen more. Guys are trying to get into position to see the play."