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BALTIMORE -- Buck Showalter did a masterful job of guiding the Baltimore Orioles to the AL East crown, and now hes resting his players in the days leading up to the post-season. Bruce Gregory . The benefit is already apparent. Adam Jones hit a pair of two-run homers and the Orioles received another steady performance from right-hander Chris Tillman in a 7-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. Jones was coming off two straight days off and Tillman was pitching with an extra day of rest. Not only that, but Showalter rested Steve Pearce and Nick Markakis, who probably would have played if the games were particularly meaningful. Pearce got a cortisone shot in his ailing right wrist and Markakis sat out with a sore shoulder. On Friday, shortstop J.J. Hardy (back spasms) was rested. "One of the good things about being able to know youre in early is things like Nick," Showalter said. "During the season we probably would have pushed it. Same thing with Stevie, J.J. We gave Adam a couple days (off)." The victory moved the Orioles within two games of the Angels in the race for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, pending Los Angeles late game against Texas. "We still have something to prove," Jones said. "Were trying to catch Anaheim for the best record overall. Guys understand that. Just because the normal stars arent playing doesnt mean that the guys that are playing cant easily fill in the role. Thats what the guys are doing. Its a collective team." But the object now is to be fresh and ready for the post-season. "Its tough, but weve got to be smart and Ive been cutting down on my swings a lot," Pearce said. "Its just that time of year." Tillman (13-5) gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings. He has allowed three runs or fewer in 20 consecutive starts, tied with Steve Barber for the second-longest such run in Orioles history behind Dave McNally (25). "He was getting better as the game went on," Showalter said. "Maybe in 10 or 11 days, two weeks or whatever it is, he continues to pitch in that game." Baltimores likely starter in Game 1 of the playoffs, Tillman is 6-0 in 13 starts since July 12. Jones connected against Rubby De La Rosa (4-8) in the third inning and Heath Hembree in the fifth. It was his sixth career two-homer game, the second this season. Christian Walker also went deep for Baltimore, hitting a solo shot in the fourth for his first major league homer. Boston got another home run from David Ortiz, his third in two games and No. 35 of the season. Ortiz now has 466 for his career, passing Dave Winfield for sole possession of 33rd place on the all-time list. De La Rosa gave up four runs in four innings and is winless in his last seven starts. "Hes still showing good velocity," manager John Farrell said. "Just the consistency to the overall execution is whats missing right now." After Mookie Betts walked to open the game, Ortiz hit a 75 mph curveball into the seats in left-centre. He was previously 2 for 24 against Tillman with no home runs. "We didnt really do anything after that," Farrell said. Jones tied it in the third with Baltimores major league-leading 200th home run of the season. The Orioles have hit at least 200 in three straight years for the first time in franchise history. Inserted as a late replacement for Pearce, Walker led off the fourth with a drive into the centre-field bleachers. The Orioles fourth-round pick in 2012 was playing in his third big league game. UP NEXT The Orioles wrap up their regular-season home slate when they send Miguel Gonzalez (9-8, 3.28 ERA) to the mound on Sunday against RHP Joe Kelly (2-2, 4.21 ERA) , who makes his ninth start for Boston since being traded from St. Louis on July 31. COUNT THE INNINGS Red Sox: De La Rosa has pitched exactly four innings in each of his last three starts. He needed 80 pitches to get through four in this one. Orioles: Tillman passed the 200-inning mark for the second straight year. "Two hundred is important because it means youre out there and competing for your team, and youre giving your chance a team to win," he said. Oscar McBride . He had spent 16 days on the disabled list before being activated Thursday. He was batting just .203 when he came to bat in the 11th inning on Sunday. Al Del Greco . Edmonton opened the season with 14 straight victories before falling Friday night 10-8 to the host Colorado Mammoth in National Lacrosse League action.If you are looking for dominance on the defensive side of the ball, look no further than Shaq Lawson. The 21-year old standout defensive end from Clemson is one of the star prospects available in this years NFL Draft, and he is determined to seize his moment.It is a draft class packed with talented edge rushers, including Joey Bosa out of Ohio State, Georgias Leonard Floyd and Lawsons former college team-mate Kevin Dodd. But Lawson is a man full of confidence, coming off a fantastic year in which he recorded 25.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. And now he is ready to prove that he can be the best.I feel like Im the best. I went up against the best in college, Lawson told Sky Sports.I dont take anything from those other guys [defensive ends in the draft], they did good to get to where they are. But, I feel like Im the best. NFL Draft: Beginners guide All you need to know ahead of Thursdays 2016 Draft I went up against guys like Ronnie Stanley [standout former Notre Dame offensive tackle], and other guys like that who youre going to see in the NFL.Im an explosive athlete. I can play against the run, and I can play against the pass. Ive shown how fast I am - Im a very explosive guy.It is hard to argue with Lawson - his numbers and performance levels back up everything he says. After patiently waiting behind Vic Beasley for two seasons, Lawson finally got his chance to come into his own at Clemson in 2015 after Beasley headed for the NFL.Lawson is a player who has built his game on explosiveness and making crucial plays when they are needed most. All of that helped Clemson complete an undefeated regular season, before playing in the National Championship game against Alabama in January.Clemson ultimately lost that game, but what was clear for all to see was that it was a team full of elite-level talent once again. Lawson followed in the footsteps of Vic Beasley (#44 of the Atlanta Falcons) at Clemson Just a few short years after producing the likes of Beasley, DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins, Clemson has unleashed another generation of incredible talent.Starring alongside Lawson is fellow defensive end Dodd, while star quarterback Deshaun Watson could be one of the most highly coveted players of next years Draft.It is clearly a college programme that knows how to create stars, and Lawson reserved special praise for defensive ends coach, Marion Hobby, in helping him to the top of his game. Lawson is put through his pacces at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine Coach Hobby is a great coach - he knew I was special from day one. Jermaine Whitehead. He always teaches us to do the right thing, teaching us the technique of how to be a success, said Lawson.Thats where most of our success came from - putting players in the right position to make plays. He was an NFL defensive ends coach - he also played for the Patriots.He knows what it takes to get there - having a guy thats been there and done that knows the right ways to make things successful.Lawson grew up in Central, South Carolina, just one town away from Clemson. It was always a dream of his to play for what was essentially his local team. He could have remained there for a further year, but elected to head for the NFL Draft this time around. Previous No1 QB picks Looking back at the good and not so good...... Despite his love for Clemson, he knew it was the right time to go.All my coaches felt like I was ready to go. They felt like I was ready to move on to the next level, he added. Im ready to move on to bigger and better things. Thats what Im ready to do. Im ready to go.Lawson is clearly determined, eager and, more than anything, ready for success and ready to achieve his goals. He will be one of the select players present at Thursdays showpiece event in Chicago, and he revealed that he will be realising a life-long dream when his name is called.It feels great knowing Im going to be an NFL player - its been something Ive been dreaming about since I was a little kid, he added. Lawsons defensive impact will be an asset to whichever team lands him I used to always watch the Draft on TV. I always told myself that one day, Im going to be there. Its going to be special for me and for my family.Im just happy about the situation and the opportunity that Ive got.With three games at Londons Wembley Stadium in 2016, theres a chance Lawson could be bringing his talents across the Atlantic, and he told the UK fans that is something he would very much like to experience.Itd be great to play in London - itd be great to see just what Londons like!Whether that trip comes next season, the year after or further into the future, we do not yet know. But what is for certain, is that Shaq Lawson will be a man in demand come Thursday night.You can follow the 2016 NFL Draft on Sky Sports 1 from midnight on Thursday and with us here all week on www.skysports.com/nfl Also See: NFL Draft: Beginners guide NFL Draft: Top pick QBs NFL on Sky Sports Pundits ' ' '
- Created: Mar 10 '20
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