DETROIT (AP) — On the verge of his first playoff series victory as a major league manager, Buck Showalter made another unusual move — and it worked.

Showalter put the winning run on base with an intentional walk in the ninth inning Sunday, and closer Zach Britton got the next batter to hit into a game-ending double play that gave the Baltimore Orioles a 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers and a sweep of their AL Division Series.

“You guys can judge conventionality,” said Showalter, who once won a game after intentionally walking Barry Bonds with the bases loaded. “I think each situation changes depending on the strength of your players and the strength of their players on a given night.”

Now the Orioles move on to the AL Championship Series. It’s the first time they’ve been there since 1997 — and the first-ever LCS appearance for Showalter. Baltimore hosts Game 1 against Kansas City on Friday.

The Orioles haven’t won a World Series since 1983, and the Royals haven’t since 1985. Neither team has a pennant since then, either.

These two teams certainly weren’t favored to emerge this year in an American League that includes the star-studded Tigers, the big-market Yankees and Red Sox and the always-dangerous Athletics. Yet, here they are.

The Royals swept the Los Angeles Angels, who had baseball’s best record during the regular season. Baltimore swept a Detroit team that had the AL’s last three Cy Young Award winners. The Tigers lined up Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and David Price to pitch the first three games — and lost them all.

“We knew what we were getting into — three Cy Youngs back-to-back-to-back,” Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said. “It’s a great team over there. We didn’t expect to win three straight like that.”

Bud Norris outpitched Price on Sunday, and Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning for the only runs the Orioles would need. Showalter, who used reliever Andrew Miller for 1 2-3 innings in a Game 1 win, had him get five outs again Sunday in relief of Norris.

Royals 8, Angels 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals stole their way to a 12-inning victory over the Oakland A’s in the AL wildcard game. They powered their way past the mighty Los Angeles Angels with an emphatic three-game sweep in the divisional round.

There’s no way they are going to be intimidated by the Baltimore Orioles.

“We’re not afraid of those guys,” Royals ace James Shields said Sunday night. “We’re going to go out there and play our game — but obviously, we’re going to worry about that tomorrow.”

On this night, there was celebrating to do.

Alex Gordon hit a bases-clearing double in the first inning, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas each homered and the wild-card Royals finished off the Angels with an emphatic 8-3 victory in the AL Division Series.

Now, the scrappy team with the unorthodox manager, popgun offense, dynamic defense and lights-out bullpen will head to Baltimore for the AL Championship Series on Friday night.