Regeln » tightened up during a 2-1 loss to Oakland on Tuesday.

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles bashed their way into first place before the All-Star break, hitting a major league leading 137 homers while averaging more than five runs per game.Baltimore also played exceptionally well defensively and received ample contributions from the back end of the bullpen, most notably All-Star relievers Brad Brach and Zach Britton.The teams strengths were as obvious as its most glaring weakness: the starting rotation.Chris Tillmans 12-2 record was offset by spotty performances from every other starter. Ubaldo Jimenez went 5-9 with a 7.38 ERA, Kevin Gausman was 1-6 and Yovani Gallardo has yet to reach a groove after spending nearly two months on the disabled list. Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson were shuffled back and forth from the minors, doing little to warrant an extended stay in Baltimore.I think I can speak on behalf of all of us -- we can definitely do better, Gausman said.If the Orioles are to complete their run to the AL East title and flourish in the postseason, they can either fix the problem or hope to win in spite of it.Its worked out so far, said Chris Davis, whose 22 homers ranks second on the team behind Mark Trumbos major-league best 28. Obviously at some point you have to start pitching a little bit better out of the starting rotation, but for the most part weve been able to pick them up with our bats.The Orioles have power and an air-tight infield. Britton has converted every one of his 27 save opportunities. But that one missing element could upend Baltimores bid to outlast Boston and Toronto in the talent-laden division.Obviously, the biggest thing for us going forward is pitching, Britton said. Very rarely do teams get through the postseason just on hitting. Were going to have to find a way to pitch a little bit better.Or, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette can hunt down another viable starter before the non-waiver trade deadline.Two years ago, Duquette shored up the bullpen by getting standout reliever Andrew Miller, proving that if a deal needs to be made he wont hesitate to swap potential big leaguers for immediate help.They know what we need and we know what we need. Its just a matter of getting it done, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado said. Ive got faith in the front office. If we need somebody, theyre going to go out and get them.Manager Buck Showalter is willing to move forward without outside assistance.Help is right here this group. We are not coveting other peoples players, Showalter insisted. Every answer we need to have is in here.Baltimore went 51-36 before the break, so maybe Showalter has a point.The bottom line to this whole thing is to score one more run than the other team, even if its 7-6, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Where you might look at their rotation and see guys who may be struggling a little bit, theyre always in a game because of their ability to hit the ball out of the park. And when they do get a lead, theyve got a pen that is even deeper than just the two guys on the back end.The bullpen lacks a proven left-hander, but the relief corps should improve later this month when setup man Darren ODay gets off the disabled list following a right hamstring strain.If Trumbo, Davis, Machado and catcher Matt Wieters continue to whack the ball, the efficiency of the pitching staff might not matter.Not many teams win this way, but the Orioles dont want to hear it.Our guys dont dwell on conventionality. We dont always follow a script, Showalter said. Starters have to go seven innings every night? Who says you do?Baltimore opens the second half Friday night in Tampa Bay before heading to New York for four games against the Yankees. The Orioles were 33-14 at home and 18-22 on the road before the break.Its obvious whats ahead of us, Showalter said. We have a lot of challenges. Custom Orioles T-shirts .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Orioles Jerseys China .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. http://www.customoriolesjersey.com/ . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. Custom Orioles Jersey China .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. Wholesale Custom Orioles Shirts . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement.(Sports Network) - The Miami Heat can close out the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night when Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup heads back to South Beach. You can watch the game on TSN and TSN Mobile TV at 7pm et/4pm pt. The Heat have won three in a row since their shocking Game 1 loss at home. Miami took both contests in Chicago, including an 88-65 drubbing of the Bulls on Monday. "Were always undermanned and have to put forth a lot of energy to make up for bodies we dont have," said Bulls reserve forward Taj Gibson. "Tonight we just didnt have the energy. No excuses. We just did not have it." The 65 points was a franchise playoff low for a Chicago team that only managed nine points in the third quarter of Game 4. They also shot an all-time postseason-worst 25.7 percent from the floor. Since the Game 1 win, the Bulls have lost by an average of 23.3 ppg and all three losses came by double digits. Of course, the Bulls are decimated by injuries. Derrick Rose hasnt played since he tore his ACL in the first playoff game last season. Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich have both missed this entire series. "Theyre in a tough situation," said LeBron James, the reigning MVP. "Theyve had some injuries and illnesses and whatevers going on. They dont have their full roster. But thats not for us to worry about. They beat a very good Brooklyn team without their full roster." Some of the Bulls pointed to that Brooklyn series. The Nets were down 3-1 to Chicago, but forced a Gaame 7.dddddddddddd "Its disappointing. But there is still basketball left," said Joakim Noah, who was named to the All-Defensive First Team on Monday. "Its not the end. Its do or die. Weve got to go to Miami and get a win and go to Game 6." Carlos Boozer led the Bulls in Game 4 with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jimmy Butler, Gibson and Rip Hamilton, who hadnt played all series long, all scored in double figures. James paced the Heat with 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, which were all team-highs. Chris Bosh netted 14 and blocked four shots. Nine other Miami players scored on Monday night, although Mike Miller and Joel Anthony were the only Heat players who didnt score on Monday. Both played less than three minutes. Dwyane Wade has been noticeably absent from the scoring column. Hes only averaged 11.2 ppg during this series and only managed six points in Game 4. Wade has been plagued by knee troubles and the extra rest hes been getting hasnt helped. He missed a good portion of the end of the regular season, sat out Game 4 of the Heats first-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks, and had a week off before the Bulls series began. "Sometimes it feels good, sometimes it doesnt," Wade told the Palm Beach Post. "Just try to go out there and continue to do what I can." The Bulls did win Game 1 in Miami and took one of the regular-season meetings at American Airlines Arena. If Chicago wins on Wednesday, Game 6 will be Friday night in the Windy City. ' ' '