Blowing into the Windy City

I'm heading to the airport to catch my flight to Chicago, where the Orioles begin a four-game series tonight. It's not a coincidence. That's why I'm going to Chicago. The Orioles took two of three games from the Blue Jays, but it felt like a losing series after yesterday's meltdown. Maybe the bar's actually been raised. The Orioles led 2-1 before giving up seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. But on the plus side, manager Buck Showalter didn't burn up his bullpen. It should be in fairly decent shape tonight. Also on the plus side, the Orioles went 3-1 at U.S. Cellular Field last season. Here comes another plus: J.J. Hardy batted .444/.444/.889 with two doubles, two homers and seven RBIs in four games against the White Sox. Brace yourselves for another plus: Hardy is 4-for-4 with a home run lifetime against Philip Humber, who's making his first start of the season tonight. Robert Andino is 2-for-5 with a home run. He'll return to second base after starting at shortstop yesterday. Jake Arrieta is 1-1 with a 7.00 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in two career starts against Chicago, with seven runs and 12 hits allowed in nine innings. He's walked five and struck out four, and the White Sox are batting .308 against him. That one doesn't go in the plus column. Adam Jones has a 12-game hitting streak, dating to last season. Down on the farm, Single-A Delmarva scored nine runs in the first inning yesterday and routed Greensboro 19-2. The two through four hitters in the order - Sammie Starr, Jason Esposito and Gabriel Lino - combined for eight hits, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored. Starr recorded a career-high five RBIs, four coming on a grand slam. Lino became the first Shorebirds player to homer twice in one game since Tyler Kolodny on April 18, 2010. Ryan Adams lined a bases-loaded single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to lift Triple-A Norfolk over Charlotte, 4-3. Jason Berken tossed five scoreless innings, giving him nine over two starts. Berken allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five.