masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNow that’s the way to announce your presence in Game 1 of a doubleheader.

The first three Orioles homered off Rangers starter Colby Lewis in the bottom of the first inning, bringing the sparse crowd to its feet and almost knocking Lewis to his knees.

Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty hit his first major league home run on Lewis’ second pitch, the ball clearing the out-of-town scoreboard in right field. J.J. Hardy followed with his eighth homer, and Nick Markakis followed with his fifth.

The…Now that’s the way to announce your presence in Game 1 of a doubleheader.

The first three Orioles homered off Rangers starter Colby Lewis in the bottom of the first inning, bringing the sparse crowd to its feet and almost knocking Lewis to his knees.

Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty hit his first major league home run on Lewis’ second pitch, the ball clearing the out-of-town scoreboard in right field. J.J. Hardy followed with his eighth homer, and Nick Markakis followed with his fifth.

The Orioles didn’t produce back-to-back homers to start a game since Jerry Hairston and Mike Bordick on June 6, 2001 at New York.

The Orioles hadn’t gone back-to-back-to-back in any inning since Luke Scott, Ty Wigginton and Adam Jones abused Matt Garza on July 20, 2010.

The club is checking with Elias to find out the last time they hit three straight homers to start a game.

Adam Jones ended the streak and produced the first out by flying to the warning track in center field.

Speaking of starts, Wei-Yin Chen is off to a good one. He retired the side in order in the top of the first, striking out Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton, and he fanned Adrian Beltre to open the top of the second.

That’s right, Hamilton didn’t homer, but just about everyone did on the Orioles 25-man roster.

Here’s more information for your reading pleasure:

The last time that the Orioles hit three home runs in the first inning – not in succession – was June 12, 1999 with Brady Anderson, Mike Bordick and Will Clark.

The Orioles’ last three-homer inning came on Aug. 21, 2010 – Ty Wigginton, Luke Scott and Josh Bell.

The last major league team to hit three home runs to start a game was the Milwaukee Brewers on Sept. 9, 2007 with Rickie Weeks, Hardy and Ryan Braun.

Yes, Hardy was batting second on that day, too.

The Orioles are still waiting for Elias to let them know whether they’ve ever had three straight homers to start the first inning.

MASNsports.com just tweeted that the Orioles are the first American League team to accomplish the feat.

Lewis, by the way, struck out six consecutive batters after Jones flied out. He’s fanned seven of eight.