Orioles break open game with Hardy grand slam (O's win 12-8)

Now, it's a party. The Orioles scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, their largest output of the season, to build an 11-2 lead. They sent 11 batters to the plate, including J.J. Hardy, who hit his fourth career grand slam and first since May 15, 2011 at Tropicana Field. Oh yeah, and the Blue Jays beat the Yankees 4-3. The Orioles can extend their lead to nine games in the American League East. Highlights were shown on the video board before the bottom of the sixth and fans erupted as the score appeared at the end. They're scoreboard watching here. That was more than a glance. The Orioles' outburst included Adam Jones' two-run double after the Orioles loaded the bases with no outs, a rally that started with Caleb Joseph's single and extended to Nick Markakis' walk and David Lough's bunt single. Anthony Swarzak replaced starter Ricky Nolasco. He walked Chris Davis intentionally with one out and first base open, and Hardy opened a whole can of you-know-what. Hardy apparently becomes agitated if you walk Davis ahead of him. Happened in Thursday night's game against the Rays, and Hardy delivered a tie-breaking single. Ryan Flaherty tripled with two outs and Joseph singled for the third time today, and second in the inning. It was quite a show. Joseph becomes the first Oriole with two hits in the same inning since Adam Jones on May 25, 2011 vs. the Royals. This is the fourth time in August that the Orioles have scored 10 or more runs. Folks, they mean business. No. 7 hitter Jimmy Paredes has a double. No. 8 hitter Flaherty has a home run and triple. No. 9 hitter Joseph has three singles and an RBI. Flaherty hadn't started since Aug. 16. Like it matters anymore with this team. Wei-Yin Chen is poised to become the latest Orioles pitcher to have a quality start muted by offensive fireworks. He's allowed two runs and six hits in six innings, and he hasn't walked a batter. Update: The Twins scored three runs with two outs in the seventh to cut the lead to 11-5. Chen was charged with two of them to ruin his bid for a quality start. Danny Santana hit a two-run homer off Brad Brach, who inherited a runner. The Orioles loaded the bases again in the bottom of the seventh, giving Hardy a shot at a second grand slam. He tried to channel his inner Chris Hoiles, but struck out. However, Paredes followed with an RBI single for a 12-5 lead. The bottom third of the order is 7-for-14 with five RBIs and three runs scored. Lough has his second three-hit game of the season, the other coming on April 24 in Toronto. Update II: Game over. The Orioles defeat the Twins 12-8 before 40,905 at Camden Yards and increase their lead over the Yankees to nine games in the American League East. They've won six of seven. Ubaldo Jimenez worked the ninth and walked in a run after loading the bases with no outs. He walked three of the five batters he faced and gave up a double to Brian Dozier. Tommy Hunter replaced him and was greeted by Chris Parmelee's two-run single. Zach Britton recorded his 31st save by getting a 6-3 double play from Eduardo Nunez. Hardy made another nice pickup on a short hop and stepped on the bag before throwing to first. He's mastered that play. Joseph had a career-high four hits. The Orioles are a season-high 23 games above .500 at 79-56. They're now 40-27 at home and 10-12 on Sundays - including 4-7 at home. The Orioles are 37-17 since June 30, the best record in the majors. They're 21-6 at home since June 30 and have outscored opponents 139-82.