masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNEW YORK – It’s another rainy and cold morning in the Bronx. Still waiting for baseball weather to kick in and no longer make me feel as though I should be waiting for a coin toss and the opening kickoff.

Much more of this and I’ll be setting up an interview with the Orioles’ special teams coach.

J.J. Hardy is again out of the lineup, as he’s sidelined for the fourth time in five games because of spasms and tightness in his lower back. Ryan Flaherty is at shortstop with Steve Lombardozzi…NEW YORK – It’s another rainy and cold morning in the Bronx. Still waiting for baseball weather to kick in and no longer make me feel as though I should be waiting for a coin toss and the opening kickoff.

Much more of this and I’ll be setting up an interview with the Orioles’ special teams coach.

J.J. Hardy is again out of the lineup, as he’s sidelined for the fourth time in five games because of spasms and tightness in his lower back. Ryan Flaherty is at shortstop with Steve Lombardozzi at second and Jonathan Schoop at third.

For the Orioles
Nick Markakis RF
Delmon Young DH
Chris Davis 1B
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Nelson Cruz LF
Steve Lombardozzi 2B
Ryan Flaherty SS
Jonathan Schoop 3B

Wei-Yin Chen LHP

For the Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Carlos Beltran RF
Alfonso Soriano DH
Brian McCann C
Francisco Cervelli 1B
Brian Roberts 2B
Yangervis Solarte 3B

Ivan Nova RHP

I wrote earlier today that Wieters is 11-for-29 lifetime against Nova. His four home runs are the most that Nova has surrendered to any opponent.

Davis ranks second with three homers, and Young is tied for third with two.

Overall, Nova has served up 11 homers to the Orioles, the most against any opponent. The Rays are second with eight and the Angels are third with seven, according to the Orioles PR staff.

Orioles designated hitters have hit safely in six consecutive games, batting .368 (7-for-19) with five walks during the streak. The club’s DHs have driven in six runs in the first seven games, something they last accomplished in 2008 when they drove in 11, according to Elias.

Last season, Orioles DHs batted .236.

In seven games this season, the Orioles bullpen has turned in seven individual appearances of more than one inning – Zach Britton (three times, each two innings), Ryan Webb (twice, 1 2/3 and 1 1/3), Josh Stinson (2 2/3) and Evan Meek (1 1/3). Overall, the bullpen has registered a 2.86 ERA in 22 innings, with seven earned runs, seven walks and 16 strikeouts.