masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgJ.J. Hardy is out of the Orioles’ lineup for the second consecutive game due to soreness in his left side. Ryan Flaherty is starting at shortstop.
Manager Buck Showalter, calling into MLB Network, said Hardy is having “an oblique issue” and will undergo an MRI. Hardy missed 25 games in 2011 with a strained oblique.
Flaherty is playing shortstop instead of Everth Cabrera, who’s batting .202/.238/.223 in 102 plate appearances and is 2-for-26 with eight strikeouts in his last 10 games. Steve…

J.J. Hardy is out of the Orioles’ lineup for the second consecutive game due to soreness in his left side. Ryan Flaherty is starting at shortstop.

hardy-fielding-gray-sidebar.jpgManager Buck Showalter, calling into MLB Network, said Hardy is having “an oblique issue” and will undergo an MRI. Hardy missed 25 games in 2011 with a strained oblique.

Flaherty is playing shortstop instead of Everth Cabrera, who’s batting .202/.238/.223 in 102 plate appearances and is 2-for-26 with eight strikeouts in his last 10 games. Steve Pearce is starting at second base.

Adam Jones has returned to center field after serving last night as the designated hitter.

Jimmy Paredes, 1-for-21 in his last six games and 1-for-23 overall, has moved down to sixth in the order.

For the Orioles
Manny Machado 3B
Travis Snider LF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis 1B
Delmon Young RF
Jimmy Paredes DH
Steve Pearce 2B
Ryan Flaherty SS
Caleb Joseph C

Mike Wright RHP

For the Astros
George Springer RF
Jose Altuve 2B
Preston Tucker LF
Evan Gattis DH
Luis Valbuena 3B
Chris Carter 1B
Hank Conger C
Marwin Gonzalez SS
Jake Marisnick CF

Collin McHugh RHP

Per STATS Inc, the Astros lead the majors with 94 runs scored after the sixth inning, including four last night in a 5-2 win over the Orioles.