tells us how muddy the waters are going to be when it comes down to this. As much as wed like to watch what Baltimore is doing, or Detroit, or Toronto, or B

BALTIMORE -- After struggling earlier in the week, the Baltimore Orioles bats finally came alive in the series opener against the Houston Astros.Baltimore will look to keep that momentum going Friday.After scoring four runs in two games against Boston, the Orioles managed 18 hits in the 13-5 victory over the Astros on Thursday. Baltimore slugged six home runs and leads the majors with 183.It was big, said shortstop J.J. Hardy, who went deep twice. We havent been swinging the bats all that great, and to bust out like that. Hopefully, it keeps going and we can keep that confidence.The Orioles have spent 111 of 136 days in first place of the AL East this season, but have struggled since the All-Star break, going 16-17. However, with the win Thursday, the Orioles moved into a second-place tie with the Red Sox and trail the Toronto Blue Jays by 1 1/2 games in the American League East.Houston has lost five straight and is mired in third place in the AL West behind Texas and Seattle. The Astros, however, are still within striking distance in the wild card standings.When you play these four-game series, the first couple of games are key because it puts you in a powerful position to potentially win the series, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. We know these guys are in the middle of this race as well. I think it tells us how muddy the waters are going to be when it comes down to this. As much as wed like to watch what Baltimore is doing, or Detroit, or Toronto, or Boston, or Seattle, the teams that are in this race, we need to take care of ourselves. We need to win our own games and not worry about what everyone else is doing.Left-hander Wade Miley (7-10, 5.23 ERA) is still looking for his first win with the Orioles since being acquired from Seattle at the trade deadline. Miley has taken the loss in two of his past three starts. He didnt get a decision in his previous outing Saturday against the Giants when he allowed seven runs (six earned) in 4 1/3 innings. In his three starts with the Orioles, Miley has a 7.04 ERA, with a 8:5 strikeout to walk ratio.Collin McHugh (7-10, 4.70) gets the start for Houston and tries to snap a four-game losing streak. McHugh has not earned a win since July 23 against the Angels. In his last start, McHugh gave up three runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays.McHugh will be challenged to contain the Orioles powerful lineup, which especially thrives at hitter-friendly Camden Yards. Baltimore owns the best home record in the American League at 40-19. Adidas Superstar Australia Sale . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Superstar Shoes Sale Australia . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. http://www.superstaraustraliacheap.com/ . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Buy Adidas Superstar Australia . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Adidas Superstar Australia Cheap . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Jamie Whincup has kept himself clear of a Sandown shake-up to claim pole position for Sundays 500km Supercars classic.Together with co-driver Paul Dumbrell, the sports statesman found clear air on Saturday afternoon to claim a third-straight Sandown 500 pole.Garth Tander in car No.2 will join him on the front row, with Volvo pair Scott McLaughlin and James Moffat earning places on the second row with determined drives across the three-stage qualifying process.Further back, it wasnt so simple.Craig Lowndes and the Ford quartet of Mark Winterbottom, Chaz Mostert, Cam Waters and Scott Pye were the biggest losers on a tumultuous days racing.Winterbottom and Lowndes watched on as their title bids were shaken during the co-driver qualifying race.On the first turn of their first lap, Winterbottoms partner Dean Canto made contact with Lowndes co-driver Steve Richards, turning car No.888 around.Canto had burst from 11th on the grid into the top six but earned a drive-through penalty for his effort, which also claimed Tony DAlbertos DJR Team Penske Falcon.DAlbertos co-driver Pye struck out at Canto for his stupid approach.Hed already made up a few places. I mean how many do you want before the first corner? he said.Lowndes recovered to qualify 12th, with Pye and Winterbottom due to start 21st and 22nd respectively.The Falcons suffered further blows, withh Mostert blowing his front-row position to finish fifth after a slow start.ddddddddddddWaters was shunted off the track by Moffat and will start last, completing what team boss Tim Edwards summarised as a shocking hour.There was drama, too, for Shane van Gisbergen, who bashed Fabian Coulthard out of the way before redressing his error.I just mucked up ... Im sure he will complain on Twitter, van Gisbergen said.Coulthard - who was on track for a top-six finish before further tangles with Will Davison - finished 12th and stormed out without speaking to media.At the front, Whincup couldnt contain his delight at pinching a pole that could allow him to extend his championship lead.We were very happy with today. The cars been excellent all weekend, he said.The boys either side of me (Tander and McLaughlin) are very quick so its going to be a lot of fun in the 500k race tomorrow.Tander said he missed the drama behind him after his best qualifying effort of the season.It looks like there was plenty going on. Up the front, Jamie, Scotty and I were pretty boring, he laughed.SANDOWN 500 QUALIFYING RESULTS:1. Jamie Whincup (Holden)2. Garth Tander (Holden)3. Scott McLaughlin (Volvo)4. James Moffat (Volvo)5. Chaz Mostert (Ford) ' ' '