Hardy’s the first to score in 2011 (updated)

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  Roch Kubatko

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  April 01, 2011 7:54 pm

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – J.J. Hardy is the first Oriole to cross the plate this season, scampering home on Nick Markakis’ two-out single in the third inning to break a scoreless tie.

Hardy doubled with one out off Rays starter David Price, and took third base on the left-hander’s errant pickoff throw. The ball actually went through Hardy’s legs.

Brian Roberts struck out, but Markakis lined a single into left-center field.

Hardy batted .351 in spring training. He’s looking pretty good at…ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – J.J. Hardy is the first Oriole to cross the plate this season, scampering home on Nick Markakis’ two-out single in the third inning to break a scoreless tie.

Hardy doubled with one out off Rays starter David Price, and took third base on the left-hander’s errant pickoff throw. The ball actually went through Hardy’s legs.

Brian Roberts struck out, but Markakis lined a single into left-center field.

Hardy batted .351 in spring training. He’s looking pretty good at the bottom of the order.

Vladimir Guerrero singled in his first official at-bat as an Oriole. He’s the early frontrunner for team MVP after the guy who operates the MRI machine.

Yes, I also tweeted that line, which you’d know if you followed me: @MASNroch.

It’s not an instant classic, but I don’t mind repeating myself.

It’s not an instant classic, but I don’t mind repeating myself.

Jeremy Guthrie started the game with seven consecutive strikes. Dan Johnson doubled off the right field fence with one out in the second inning, but B.J. Upton struck out on a 93 mph fastball and Matt Joyce bounced out on an 84 mph changeup.

OK, you should be caught up.

Update: The Orioles scored three more runs in the top of the fifth. Matt Wieters singled and Hardy walked with one out, and Brian Roberts tripled to left-center field. Johnny Damon played the ball like he was wearing roller skates and mittens. Markakis followed with a sacrifice fly.

Guthrie notched his 500th career strikeout when he fanned Manny Ramirez to end the fourth. He’s allowed only one hit.