Jeremy Guthrie needed only six pitches to dispose of the Tigers in the top of the first inning. He got two fly balls to center fielder Adam Jones sandwiched around a pop up to first baseman Chris Davis.
The Orioles also were retired in order in the bottom of the first, but that's considered progress. They've been outscored, 87-38, in the first inning this year. They've been outscored by 88 runs in the first three innings.
J.J. Hardy struck out in the first inning, so I guess we'll have to wait a little longer for his home run.
Hardy has homered five times in his last six games. He leads the American League with 21 homers since June 1. He's tied with Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki for the most homers by a shortstop in the majors (23). He has 13 more homers this year than the Orioles' shortstops hit the last three seasons combined.
Oh yeah, he also leads AL shortstops with a .988 fielding percentage.
Orioles relievers have issued two walks in their last 15 innings over four games. The bullpen has allowed one run in the last 20 innings over five games.
Adam Jones has hit 18 of his 21 home runs at home.
In case you missed it, the Pirates placed first baseman Derrek Lee on the 15-day disabled list with a broken bone in his left wrist. The injury occurred when Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol hit Lee on Aug. 3. The move is retroactive to Wednesday.
First baseman Aaron Baker, acquired from the Pirates in the Lee trade at the non-waiver deadline, began tonight hitting .390 with three doubles, two homers and nine RBIs in 11 games with Single-A Frederick.
Speaking of the Keys, Jonathan Schoop is 2-for-2 tonight with an RBI and a run scored. He went 4-for-5 last night with a double, homer, four RBIs and two runs scored.
Instant update: Adam Jones led off the bottom of the second with a single into left field, and Vladimir Guerrero followed with his first home run since Game 2 of the July 30 doubleheader in New York. Estimated distance: 398 feet.
Update II: The Orioles are still mashing in the second inning. Blake Davis just hit his first major league homer, a three-run shot that umpires reviewed before the call was upheld.
The ball cleared the left field fence and bounced back onto the field as Andy Dirks made a leaping attempt.
Orioles 5, Tigers 0
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