Showalter on Hardy: "Everybody's been pulling for him" (O's win 2-1)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles didn't waste much time today going after Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez in the top of the first inning. The Rays didn't waste much time responding with their own run.

No shutouts today at Tropicana Field.

Leadoff hitter Gerardo Parra flied to left field on Ramirez's second pitch, a 90 mph fastball. Manny Machado bunted for a hit on the second pitch, a 91 mph fastball. Chris Davis followed with a double on the first pitch thrown, a 90 mph fastball, and Machado scored on Adam Jones' ground ball to shortstop on the first pitch, also a 90 mph fastball.

Why wait?

I wonder if they were sitting on the fastball?

Steve Clevenger actually saw six pitches before striking out to end the inning and strand Davis at third base.

Machado was 2-for-13 with a home run against Ramirez before today. He dropped a bunt down the third base line and Richie Shaffer had no play.

The Orioles are 50-27 when they score first. I don't know their record when they lose a lead two batters into the first inning.

Brandon Guyer led off with a single off left-hander Wei-Yin Chen and he raced home on Shaffer's double past a diving Steve Pearce in left field. Shaffer reached third base with two outs, but Asdrubal Cabrera struck out on Chen's 17th pitch, a 94 mph heater.

J.J. Hardy is batting ninth again tonight for the Orioles after hitting a three-run homer last night, his first since July 29.

"It's been tough on J because he has such high expectations of himself," said manager Buck Showalter. "Everybody's been pulling for him because we know he gets in a little rut. He's had some better swings and you think he's getting ready to take off and then he has a tough game.

"As you know, he's had a lot of big hits late in games for us. He may get one, but it's usually a big one. He never gives in and never lets it affect his defense or the way that he treats people. I'm proud of it because I know how quietly frustrated he is with it."

Update: Jones drove in another run with a single in the sixth that plated Chris Davis, who led off with a double - his third hit of the night. Orioles 2, Rays 1

Chen has thrown 69 pitches in five innings and retired 14 of 16. He hit a batter and allowed an infield hit in that span.

Update II: The Orioles defeat the Rays 2-1, with Chen winning his 10th game and Britton recording his 34th save.

The Orioles have won eight of their last 11 games. They're 22-24 in one-run games and 31-46 on the road.