Jones homer followed by 35-pitch inning for Gonzalez (O's win 8-3)

BOSTON - Adam Jones hit a ball today that cleared the Green Monster in left field and delayed flights out of Logan Airport.

Jones demolished a 91 mph fastball from Red Sox starter Rick Porcello after Jimmy Paredes singled up the middle with one out.

The lead didn't last long. Hanley Ramirez hit a three-run homer off Miguel Gonzalez with one out in the bottom of the first to put Boston ahead 3-2.

Paredes has three hits in two games with the Orioles. Jones has five home runs and 13 RBIs to go with his .429 average.

Jones was 4-for-24 lifetime against Porcello before today. Paybacks can be harsh.

I asked someone in the press box where Jones' ball landed and was told, "It hasn't."

The Orioles could use an extended outing today from Gonzalez after Ubaldo Jimenez was ejected in the fourth inning on Friday and Chris Tillman lasted 5 1/3 innings yesterday while attempting to stay loose in the dugout during Clay Buchholz's stall tactics.

Gonzalez threw 35 pitches in the first. Kevin Gausman, Tommy Hunter, Brian Matusz and Jason Garcia are available today, though the Rule 5 pick hasn't been used since April 10.

The bullpen gave up runs in the first 10 games before turning in 3 2/3 scoreless innings yesterday.

"It's a transition, especially with a couple guys who were stretched out as a starter and now have a couple innings out of the bullpen. That's tough on a guy," said Darren O'Day, who got a huge double play on Ramirez yesterday in the eighth inning with the Orioles protecting a 2-1 lead.

"There's always some uncertainty at the beginning of the season, and it takes certain guys a little bit longer. But we know we're a good bullpen. We're probably less concerned about what's happened so far than other people.

"There's a good number of guys back. It's just a matter of guys settling into their roles and us figuring things out. Once that happens you can depend on only having three guys available a day. We need to get Jason out there pitching in games. I know he wants to pitch more and we want to pitch him more. He's going to be good for us. We need to get him out there and then we'll be running on all cylinders. Everything else will fall into line."

Garcia might be needed today after Gonzalez's 35-pitch first inning, which include three walks.

"He's been great," O'Day said. "You talk about what experience means in a bullpen. Everything he's going through, I've gone through. I didn't pitch for a whole paycheck during my rookie year, so 14 days. I know what it's like. But the only thing you can do is be ready for your opportunity and take advantage of it when it presents itself.

"He's champing at the bit. He wants to get out there. He'll get his chance."

Update: Ryan Flaherty homered with two outs in the second inning to tie the game 3-3.

It's Flaherty's second homer of the season. Both of his RBIs have come via the long ball.

Update II: The Orioles scored twice in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead.

Travis Snider had an infield hit with the bases loaded and Manny Machado lined to center field.

Gonzalez has thrown 96 pitches in five innings. Tommy Hunter is warming in the bullpen.

Update III: Jones remains on fire. He's homered, singled, doubled and tied his career high with five RBIs.

Jones' three-run double gave the Orioles an 8-3 lead in the sixth and knocked out Porcello.

Jones is batting .444 with five home runs and 16 RBIs this season.

Paredes is 3-for-4 today and has five hits in two games. Caleb Joseph has singled, walked and been hit by a pitch.

David Ortiz was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. Plate umpire Paul Emmel left the game for an undisclosed reason.

Update IV: The Orioles have won two of the first three games of the series with today's 8-3 victory over the Red Sox.

The bullpen turned in four scoreless innings - two each from Hunter and Kevin Gausman. Hunter retired all six batters he faced.

Jones tied his career high with four hits, the 15th time he's done it.