The Orioles entered Sunday afternoon’s game with a “magic number” of just one to clinch a postseason spot. With the Texas Rangers’ loss to the Cleveland Guardians ending while their own game was in the ninth inning, the O’s knew they were already heading to the playoffs. But these Birds, in dramatic fashion, ended up going 11 innings before getting a walk-off run, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4.

That’s when the party really started.

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) cheers after scoring on center fielder Cedric Mullins’ sacrifice fly in the eleventh inning to win the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Baltimore Orioles clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Catcher Adley Rutschman scores the winning run on Cedric Mullins' sacrifice fly, then races to join his teammates' celebration. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles left fielder Austin Hays (21) dumps gatorade on center fielder Cedric Mullins after he hit a sacrifice fly in the eleventh inning to win the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Baltimore Orioles clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Left fielder Austin Hays (21) dumps Gatorade on Mullins as the players accost him. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Fans at Pickles Pub Cheer “Let’s go O” as they celebrate the entry to post season play for the first time since 2016.
Fans at Pickles Pub cheer “Let’s go O's” as they celebrate Sunday's victory. (Kirk McKoy/The Baltimore Banner)
Beer and champagne flow and spray during the postgame party in the clubhouse. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles right fielder Heston Kjerstad (13) is sprayed with champagne by teammates in the clubhouse following their playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Rookie right fielder Heston Kjerstad joined the club just in time for the clinching victory. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo is doused in champagne and beer in the team clubhouse following a win against the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Baltimore Orioles clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Shortstop Jorge Mateo is doused in champagne and beer. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
General manager Mike Elias, the architect of the team's turnaround, takes part in the revelry. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Right fielder Anthony Santander dances with beers and a cigar. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Shintaro Fujinami pours a beer into left fielder Austin Hays’ mouth in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Relief pitcher Shintaro Fujinami pours a beer into left fielder Austin Hays’ mouth. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo whips his braids around after being doused with champagne in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann is sprayed in the face with champagne in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman take a calm sip of beer in the clubhouse amidst the chaos following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Félix Bautista douses shortstop Jorge Mateo with champagne in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Shintaro Fujinami is doused with beer and champagne in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
ESPN and Baltimore Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown is doused with beer and champagne in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
ESPN and Baltimore Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown is doused with beer and champagne in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann twerks after being sprayed in the face with champagne in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Yennier Cano is doused with beer and champagne as he chugs from the Homer Hose in the clubhouse following the team’s playoff-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, September 17, 2023. The Orioles earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

More From The Banner

Maryland hospitals took money from poor patients. Why haven’t they paid them back?

Joanna Meade reads aloud love letters from the 1920's in the sun room of her home on February 27, 2024. The letters were found inside of a wall during a renovation.

Secret in the walls: Hidden letters reveal love, lust, scandal in 1920s Baltimore society

Illustration shows black geometric fragments falling from the sky, partially obscuring the faint outline of Key Bridge central span. In the background a sunrise starts to illuminate the darkness.

Grieving my brother and the Key Bridge

Sheila Dixon, a ‘filthy’ street and residents who want politicians to put up or shut up