BALTIMORE -- Champagne was spraying all around him, and Dan Duquette couldnt help but laugh at the mayhem he helped create. The Orioles clinched their first AL East title since 1997 by beating Toronto 8-2 Tuesday night, and Duquette was right in the middle of a long overdue celebration in the Baltimore clubhouse. "The guys are having a great time, and they earned it," said Duquette, the teams executive vice-president of baseball operations. "Weve got some more work to do, and these guys know it, but congratulations to them on the division crown. They did a great job." With their ninth win in 10 games, the Orioles clinched their second playoff appearance in three years following a run of 14 consecutive losing seasons. After the final out, the Orioles converged behind second base. Fireworks soared in the outfield, while streamers and confetti sprayed throughout the boisterous crowd of 35,279. The party continued in the clubhouse, where players wore goggles and smiles while covered in champagne and beer. "Its everything I hoped for, man. Its an awesome experience," said right fielder Nick Markakis, who experienced six of those losing seasons. "We worked hard all season long to get where we are now. We got one step out of the way. Now we have a couple more steps to go." It was Baltimores ninth AL East title, but only its second since 1983, when the Orioles last won the World Series. The franchise has enjoyed a rebirth under the guidance of manager Buck Showalter, whose 1,254th victory thrust him past mentor Billy Martin into sole possession of 36th place on the career list. "Theres probably not a better strategy guy in the game," reliever Darren ODay said. "He sees things days in advance. He put guys in opportunities to succeed. It was pretty special." Baltimore is 42-23 in a division that includes the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, the free-spending New York Yankees and pitching-rich Tampa Bay. The Orioles led by only four games on Aug. 6 before going on a 27-11 run. "Were AL East champs," Steve Pearce said in the midst of the drenched clubhouse. "Awesome." The clinching victory featured an unlikely list of contributors, not at all unusual for a team that often delved deep into its 25-man roster. Ubaldo Jimenez was making his first start in a month; Pearce has morphed from a bit player to a key starter; and Jimmy Paredes didnt join the team until Aug. 28. Pearce provided the Orioles with the lead for good with a three-run drive off Drew Hutchison (10-12) in the first inning. He has 18 home runs this year, one more than he had in 290 games as a part-timer from 2007-13. Paredes hit a solo shot in the second to make it 4-2. It was his second homer in 10 games with Baltimore. In addition, newcomer Alejandro De Aza hit a three-run triple in the seventh for a 7-2 lead. De Aza came to the Orioles in an Aug. 30 trade with the Chicago White Sox. "It says a lot about the way these guys can come in and perform," Duquette said. "Theyre good baseball players." Jimenez (5-9) survived a rocky start to limit the Blue Jays to two runs and two hits over five innings in his third start since July 5. After signing a $50 million, four-year deal in the off-season, Jimenez struggled with his control for much of the season, sprained his ankle in a parking lot before the All-Star break and ultimately lost his place in the rotation. Pressed into service because the Orioles played a doubleheader Friday, Jimenez issued four walks in the first two innings. But he bounced back to retire his last 10 batters. "I had to find a way to be there for the team," Jimenez said. "After the start, I was able to do everything good." In the other clubhouse, the Blue Jays bemoaned their role at the catalyst to the celebration. "Watching what we had to watch was probably the worst thing you can experience as a player," Hutchison said. "Its something you never want to have to experience again. We have some games left here. We know what the odds are. We just have to win as much as we can. We still have a lot to play for with our pride." TRAINERS ROOM Blue Jays: Steve Tolleson was available off the bench after being hit on the arm by teammate Munenori Kawasakis foul ball while sitting in the dugout the previous night. "We got lucky," manager John Gibbons said. Orioles: RHP Steve Johnson will have surgery to have a bone spur removed from the back of his right shoulder later this month and should be ready for 2015 spring training. He did not pitch for Baltimore this year. UP NEXT Bud Norris (13-8) brings a 7-1 record against AL East foes into a matchup with Toronto lefty J.A. Happ in the series finale. Air Force 1 On Sale . Luis Enrique signed the deal with club president Josep Bartomeu two days after it was announced by the club. That was two days after coach Gerardo Martino stepped down when Barcelona finished its first season without a major trophy in six years. Air Force 1 Fake . -- David Ortiz saved his only hit for a key moment for the Boston Red Sox. https://www.cheapairforce1outlet.com/ . scored 18 of his career- high 28 points in the first half, as fifth-ranked Ohio State dominated No. Air Force 1 Replica . Garcia had eight birdies overall to go with a lone bogey on the fourth to move to an 18-under total of 198 at the Asian Tour event. "I was able to hit some really nice shots and then was able to roll two or three really good putts in and it was nice to be able to finish birdie, birdie on this difficult finishing stretch," Garcia said. Air Force 1 Discount . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November.MIAMI -- Pittsburgh Steelers director of football and business administration Omar Khan is one of three candidates who have interviewed for the job as general manager of the Miami Dolphins. The team said Friday it also interviewed Arizona Cardinals vice-president of player personnel Jason Licht and Dolphins assistant general manager Brian Gaine. All are candidates to replace Jeff Ireland, who left Wednesday after six seasons. Former Redskins offensive co-ordinator Kyle Shanahan and Eagles quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor have interviewed for the job of offensive co-ordinator. Both are candidates to replace Mike Sherman, fired Monday after two seasons with Miami. More candidates are expected to be interviewed for both jobs. Khan joined the Steelers in 2000, when he was 23, and has worked for two Super Bowl championship teams. Hes in charge of contract negotiations and managing the salaary cap.dddddddddddd Licht worked with the Dolphins in 1995-96 as a scouting assistant and as an assistant coach. He joined the Cardinals in 2012 after three seasons as the New England Patriots director of pro personnel. Gaine has been Irelands top assistant the past three years. He and Khan interviewed for the New York Jets job as general manager a year ago. Shanahan worked for four seasons in Washington with his father, Mike, the head coach, until both were fired Dec. 30. Kyle Shanahan became the NFLs youngest offensive co-ordinator at age 28 when he was promoted to the position with the Texans in 2008. His predecessor there: Sherman. Lazor joined the Eagles a year ago when Chip Kelly was hired as head coach. Lazor was offensive co-ordinator at the University of Virginia from 2010 to 2012, and he has worked for the Redskins, Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons. ' ' '