masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Lots to pass along following today’s 5-1 victory that completed a three-game sweep of the Rays.

The Orioles are 3-0 for the first time since the 1997 wire-to-wire season. Just saying…

Here’s shortstop J.J. Hardy on the sweep:
“It’s big. We had all the confidence in the world going through spring training and as many expectations as we’ve had on ourselves. It’s nice to get off to a good start like this.”

J.J. Hardy joins the O’s Xtra crew to talk about his big…ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Lots to pass along following today’s 5-1 victory that completed a three-game sweep of the Rays.

The Orioles are 3-0 for the first time since the 1997 wire-to-wire season. Just saying…

Here’s shortstop J.J. Hardy on the sweep:
“It’s big. We had all the confidence in the world going through spring training and as many expectations as we’ve had on ourselves. It’s nice to get off to a good start like this.”

J.J. Hardy joins the O’s Xtra crew to talk about his big double in the O’s 5-1 win over the Rays

On Zach Britton:
“I’ve been impressed by him every outing I’ve seen. Even in spring training. He’s opened a lot of eyes. And to go out and do this his first start was pretty awesome.

“He seemed really calm. He seemed like he was right in his element. I looked over at him when he was throwing his bullpen warming up and he looked like he’s been doing it for years. That was a good sign to see that.”

On his two-run double off Wade Davis:
“He was throwing me a lot of fastballs my first two at-bats. I think I saw maybe one changeup and a lot of fastballs. He started me off with a slider and threw a fastball in and I was able to get the barrel on it.”

On pitching just needing to keep teams close until offense produces:
“I feel like that would be great if they could keep us close, but what they’ve been doing is shutting them down pretty much completely. Any time our pitching can do that, I think our chances are pretty good.”

On going home with a 3-0 record:
“It’s great. It just adds to that confidence that we had coming out of spring training and it’s just a great way to start the season.”