masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgYou can’t count on anything these days.

Zach Britton failed to make it through the sixth inning tonight for the first time in seven major league starts. He retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced, but manager Buck Showalter went to his bullpen with the left-hander’s pitch count at 95.

Jason Berken replaced Britton, who allowed all three runs and all four hits in the second inning. Britton walked one and struck out four.

James Shields continues to blank the Orioles on one hit, Vladimir…You can’t count on anything these days.

Zach Britton failed to make it through the sixth inning tonight for the first time in seven major league starts. He retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced, but manager Buck Showalter went to his bullpen with the left-hander’s pitch count at 95.

Jason Berken replaced Britton, who allowed all three runs and all four hits in the second inning. Britton walked one and struck out four.

James Shields continues to blank the Orioles on one hit, Vladimir Guerrero’s double in the fourth.

Down on the farm, J.J. Hardy is 0-for-1 with two walks at Triple-A Norfolk. And two club officials confirmed that catcher Craig Tatum left the game with a sore shoulder. No roster move is coming.

Blake Davis and Rhyne Hughes homered for the Tides. Ronnie Welty homered for Double-A Bowie, and Jonathan Schoop homered for SIngle-A Delmarva, which refused to cancel its game despite Manny Machado’s knee injury.

Tonight’s attendance: 20,694

We’re not in an official rain delay, but the grounds crew is doctoring the infield and the mound with a drying compound, and it’s basically delaying the game. Call it what you will.

The stadium lights were reflecting off the infield. Showalter has left the dugout at least twice to confer with the plate umpire. And here he comes again.

Derrek Lee homered with two outs in the sixth to break up James Shields’ shutout bid. That was No. 3 for Lee, and only the second hit tonight for the Orioles.