masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Tampa Bay left-hander Cesar Ramos entered today’s game in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and no outs.

The bases were cleared after three pitches.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy hit his third career grand slam, and first since May 12, 2007 off the Mets’ Joe Smith.

Orioles 8, Rays 2.

Right-hander Rob Delaney walked the bases loaded – one free pass was intentional – before Ramos replaced him. Hardy gave him quite a greeting.

The No. 9 hitter in this lineup must be…ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Tampa Bay left-hander Cesar Ramos entered today’s game in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and no outs.

The bases were cleared after three pitches.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy hit his third career grand slam, and first since May 12, 2007 off the Mets’ Joe Smith.

Orioles 8, Rays 2.

Right-hander Rob Delaney walked the bases loaded – one free pass was intentional – before Ramos replaced him. Hardy gave him quite a greeting.

The No. 9 hitter in this lineup must be required to hit a home run. Mark Reynolds did it yesterday before moving up to eighth today.

Hardy is 10-for-22 with two homers and seven RBIs since coming off the disabled list. He hit the Orioles’ first slam since Corey Patterson on July 9, 2010 in Texas.

Hopefully, this game ends sooner.

Update: It ended for Jake Arrieta after six innings. He allowed two runs and four hits, walked three and struck out seven. He threw 103 pitches, 63 for strikes.

Again, you’d like to see Arrieta pitch deeper in games. He’s only exceeded six innings once in nine starts. He’s logged six innings on six occasions, so he’s not getting knocked out early, but his pitch count needs some trimming.

He probably could have gone back out at 103, but manager Buck Showalter has a rested bullpen. Jim Johnson takes the baton.