Hardy's handy work

During his playing days, Cal Ripken Jr. would change stances about as often as manager's change their lineups. Or their socks, if Ripken was slumping or trying to compensate for a sore back.

J.J. Hardy isn't trying to uphold a tradition among Orioles shortstops, but he's been known to experiment, too. While Ripken might bend more at the knees or straighten up, Hardy is known more to adjust his hands.

Check out what he's doing so far this week.

Hardy has lowered his hands again, which many fans noticed from the stands or on MASN telecasts.

"They're probably lower than they were last year, but there's been years when I've had them probably lower than they are right now," Hardy said. "I feel like I've had them anywhere low, high, further back, further away from my body. I feel like I've stood up taller, I've crouched down.

"Honestly, there were times when I felt like I was batting like Jeff Bagwell. Then I'd look at video and it really wasn't that much different. For me, I feel like I couldn't tell you. But I think they're probably a little bit lower than last year, for sure."

Hardy made adjustments last year to compensate for a sore left shoulder, becoming more of a singles hitter while losing the power that allowed him to hit 77 home runs in his first three seasons with the Orioles. He wanted to lower his hands and couldn't because of the discomfort.

The shoulder is good and Hardy's been able to drive the ball again. He's also keeping his hands right where he wants them - and where so many fans can see them.

"Just feel comfortable there right now," said Hardy, who singled and scored last night in the decisive two-run seventh inning. "They might be higher again in a month, but right now they feel good there."

Let's see how long they stay there.

"I feel like I've had success in all those different ways, so when I think, 'Well, it's not working right now. I'll bring my hands up,' and then they feel comfortable there," Hardy said. "But yeah, I don't know. I wish I just had one stance and it felt comfortable all the time, but it doesn't."

Hardy's hands don't change at shortstop. Still among the softest in the game.

He'll be back at shortstop tonight for Chris Tillman's second start, the first ruined by rain after two innings.

Tillman retired all six batters he faced, striking out the last five. He's working on three days' rest against the Rays, who are in town to begin a three-game series that also wraps up the homestand.

Tillman is 5-9 with a 4.30 ERA and 1.193 WHIP in 20 career starts against the Rays. Evan Longoria is 16-for-49 (.327) with four doubles, six home runs, nine RBIs and five walks. Desmond Jennings is 2-for-21 and Kevin Kiermaier is 2-for-16.

Chris Archer struck out 12 Blue Jays in five innings in a 5-3 loss on opening day. He's 2-4 with a 4.44 ERA and 1.418 WHIP in nine outings (eight starts) against the Orioles, striking out 49 batters in 48 2/3 innings. He's 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in three games (two starts) at Camden Yards, with eight runs and 19 hits allowed in 14 2/3 innings. He's walked seven and struck out 15.

Hardy is 5-for-14 with two doubles, Manny Machado is 8-for-19, Chris Davis is 4-for-13 with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs, Ryan Flaherty is 5-for16 with two doubles and Jonathan Schoop is 3-for-5 with a double against Archer.

Adam Jones is 2-for-22 with seven strikeouts. He may not be ready to return to the lineup after missing last night's game with soreness in his rib area. My guess is he's out again tonight as a precaution. And it's not like he owns Archer.