Britton gives up three runs, Hardy walks

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

May 06, 2011, 3:34pm

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Zach Britton was impressive in the first inning, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches, but he allowed back-to-back doubles and a two-run homer leading off the second to fall behind, 3-0. Britton got a grounder and two fly balls in the first. The first two fly balls in the second, from Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton, reached the right field fence. The fly ball from Brandon Guyer cleared the left-center field fence. That's not nearly as good. Guyer was batting for the first time in the majors, so he'll remember this one. He's the first Rays player in franchise history to homer in his first at-bat in his major league debut. Esteban Yan, the former Oriole, also homered in his first at-bat, but it wasn't his debut. Britton had allowed three runs or fewer in five of his first six starts. He matched that total tonight before recording an out in the second inning - on a fly ball from Kelly Shoppach that drove Adam Jones to the fence in front of the Orioles' bullpen. Britton threw 30 pitches in the second inning. Down on the farm, J.J. Hardy walked in his first at-bat for Triple-A Norfolk. He's facing Indianapolis' Sean Gallagher, the former top Cubs pitching prospect.