The Angels (82-69) struck back in the ninth on Vernon Wells' RBI triple against Jim Johnson. The inning included a highlight-reel catch by Nick Markakis, who jumped against the right-field wall to take away extra bases from Torii Hunter.
The outcome was seemingly decided in the first, however, after the Orioles ripped Santana and put the Angels in a serious hole.
"You could just kind of see it in their faces right there," Britton said. "Those guys are going for the hunt, and then they give up five in the first and you could see the defeated look in them, just a little bit. But it feels good to take some games from teams in the hunt."
The Orioles go for the three-game sweep Sunday -- which would be their first at home since June 6-8 against the Oakland Athletics.
They can also add to their growing resume as a pennant-race spoiler, though Showalter is downplaying that role.
"You want to present yourself well, regardless of who you are playing. It's more about presenting the Orioles well than it is trying to beat a team still in it," Showalter said. "Down deep, we are all jealous [of] where they are, playing meaningful games in September. We are not trying to make someone's life miserable, it is just that we are trying to make ours more palatable."
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