Trying to close out the month with another win

NEW YORK - The Orioles are 17-9 in August, including 12-4 at home, the most wins in any month this season. The last time they won 17 games in any month was August 2010. So, how long has it been since they won 18 games in a month? Try September 2004. Tonight, the Orioles will try to equal that mark. They've got one chance remaining before we flip the page on the calendar. The Orioles have played eight road series against the American League East, winning six of them. They've taken two each in New York and Boston, going a combined 9-3. Their four wins in New York are their most since 2007. The Orioles have won four of the last five games in the Bronx. Here are two stats that favor the Orioles this weekend: They're 35-28 on the road this season, and 25-12 in day games. Their only night game in this series is tonight. The 35 road wins are five more than their total in 2011 and their most since 2005 (38). The 35 wins are tied with the Yankees for second-most in the American League, one behind the Rays. The Orioles' 72 wins in 2012 are their most since 2005, when they won 74. The Orioles are 26-14 since a July 17 loss in Minnesota dropped their record to 46-44. Sixteen of the 26 wins have been by two runs or fewer. The Orioles have won 29 games when they've gotten one or no hits with runners in scoring position. Seven of the 27 runs that Miguel Gonzalez has allowed this season have come in the first inning. J.J. Hardy continues to lead major league shortstops in fielding percentage (.992), assists (431), assists per nine innings (3.39), total chances (632) and range factor per game (4.98). Hardy is batting .306/.342/.528 in his last nine games. Omar Quintanilla is hitless in his last 19 at-bats. Does he start at second base tonight, or does manager Buck Showalter choose Ryan Flaherty? Mark Reynolds is 4-for-23 lifetime against Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda. Nate McLouth is 2-for-12. You can expect to see both of them in the lineup tonight. The Orioles have hit 55 homers in the seventh inning or later, second to the Yankees (63). Despite playing only 130 games, the Orioles have made 153 roster moves since setting their opening day roster (40-man and 25-man rosters included). They've optioned 33 players, recalled 28, placed 19 on the 15-day disabled list, selected the contract of 15, designated 14 for assignment, reinstated 10 from the DL, placed nine on the 60-day DL, outrighted nine, lost four on waivers, traded for five, traded away two, claimed one on waivers, had one take paternity leave, added one player, signed one as a free agent and had one elect free agency. You're next, Randy Wolf. OK, that should hold you for a little while. Thanks to the Orioles' PR staff for doing the heavy lifting.