masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles shortstop J.J. Hardy extended his hitting streak to 10 games tonight with a single leading off the bottom of the fifth inning.

Hardy, who grounded out in his first at-bat, is 13-for-37 (.351) with three homers, seven RBIs and five runs scored during the streak.

It’s been a slow climb, but Hardy’s average is up to .228.

Hardy was doubled off first base on Ryan Flaherty’s scorching line drive to Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, who made the leaping catch and stepped on the bag….Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy extended his hitting streak to 10 games tonight with a single leading off the bottom of the fifth inning.

Hardy, who grounded out in his first at-bat, is 13-for-37 (.351) with three homers, seven RBIs and five runs scored during the streak.

It’s been a slow climb, but Hardy’s average is up to .228.

Hardy was doubled off first base on Ryan Flaherty’s scorching line drive to Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, who made the leaping catch and stepped on the bag. Flaherty couldn’t believe that he didn’t have an extra-base hit. He may never hit a ball any harder.

The game is still tied 1-1 in the sixth inning after center fielder Adam Jones made a leaping catch in front of the Orioles’ bullpen to rob Carlos Quentin. It’s hard to tell from the MASN replays, but it appeared that the ball would have cleared the fence. Definitely an extra-base hit.

Chris Tillman has allowed one run and four hits in six innings, with two walks, five strikeouts, a home run and a hit batter. He’s thrown 99 pitches, 66 for strikes.

Tillman has retired eight in a row.

Down on the farm, left-hander Zach Britton allowed seven runs (six earned) and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk, with no walks and three strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 65 for strikes.

Jason Pridie went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury.

Update: Tillman rebounded from a rough start to hold the Padres to one run over seven innings, with four hits, two walks, seven strikeouts, one home run and a hit batter. He threw 112 pitches – two below his season high – with 75 strikes.

That’s five straight quality starts for Tillman, who retired the last 11 batters that he faced tonight.

Brian Matusz takes over in the eighth with the score tied 1-1.

Padres starter Andrew Cashner has held the Orioles to four hits. He’s retired eight in a row.