masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – First base coach Wayne Kirby walked over to Nick Markakis this morning and asked whether the right fielder was ready to go to work after he stayed back in camp yesterday while the Orioles opened their exhibition schedule in Brandenton.

Markakis responded with a nod and a fist bump.

Boy, was he ready.

Markakis has homered twice, singled and driven in four runs through four innings. He connected twice off Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine and lined an RBI single off reliever…SARASOTA, Fla. – First base coach Wayne Kirby walked over to Nick Markakis this morning and asked whether the right fielder was ready to go to work after he stayed back in camp yesterday while the Orioles opened their exhibition schedule in Brandenton.

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Markakis responded with a nod and a fist bump.

Boy, was he ready.

Markakis has homered twice, singled and driven in four runs through four innings. He connected twice off Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine and lined an RBI single off reliever Rob Delaney.

The first five Orioles reached in the fourth. Matt Wieters had a run-scoring double, Jake Fox singled for his second RBI of the day, Brian Roberts doubled and Markakis singled for his fourth RBI.

Vladimir Guerrero’s sacrifice fly increased the Orioles’ lead to 10-1.

Rick VandenHurk allowed one run in two innings. He walked the first batter he faced on four pitches, but the real trouble came the next inning, when Sean Rodriguez led off with a single and raced home on Evan Longoria’s long double to center field.

Mark Hendrickson has replaced VandenHurk in the fifth.

The only power outage occurred a few minutes ago when the PA system cut off and the video board faded to black, but they’re operating again.

Update: Kelly Shoppach just homered off Hendrickson with one out in the fifth. Orioles 10, Rays 2.