Rapid maturation of Ray is relief for Orioles

In offseason, club feared closer role may be too much too soon

now Ray, 24, has 27 saves

In the winter meetings leading up to the 2006 season, one of the Orioles' top priorities was finding a closer.

"It seemed like all we wanted to do," manager Sam Perlozzo recalled.

Orioles@Red Sox Tonight, 7:05, Comcast SportsNet, 1090 AM Starters: O's Adam Loewen (2-3, 5.72) vs. Red Sox's David Wells (0-2, 8.05)