At least the Orioles allowed their fans to call it an early night. For the fifth time in the last month or so, the O's gave up at least eight runs in a single inning; in this case, it happened to be eight in the first inning with Toronto the lucky opponent. 

The Blue Jays -- who also apparently called it a night early because they never did score again-- won, 8-5, at Camden Yards. Victor Zambrano (left) was the Orioles' starter (obviously, also an early night). With four games remaining, Baltimore is two games ahead of Tampa Bay in an effort to stay out of the AL East cellar. There's also an opportunity for the O's to finish with the worst record in baseball.

*  All the playoff spots in the American League are decided and none are settled in the National League.  The Yankees clinched at least a wild card with a win over Tampa Bay and they'll  probably have to be satisfied with that finish since they trail first-place Boston by three games in the AL East with four to go.  Cleveland has clinched the AL Central and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in lovely Orange County conveniently located off I-5 on Gene Autry Way won the AL West and the honor of having most awkward full name in professional sports.

*  Meanwhile, in the National League, every playoff spot is up for grabs. The Mets were swept by the Nationals last night, trimming their NL East lead over Philadelphia to a single game with four to go. In the NL Central, the Cubs are two games in front of the Brewers and a restraining order has been issued, prohibiting Steve Bartman from coming within 3,000 feet of any Cubs game regardless of where it's being played. And in the NL West, Arizona leads San Diego by one game and Colorado by two. The Padres are the wild-card leader with the Phillies and Rockies a game back.

Photo credit:  Associated Press