masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgDue to the pace of tonight’s game at Camden Yards, it has now been reclassified as a mini-series.

We had two crew chief reviews in the first three innings. We’ve had only one run score despite six hits by the Rays.

We’ve decided that a pillow and blanket might be needed later.

I had a beef and broccoli stir fry for dinner, but that’s not official. The umpires want to take another look at it.

The Rays might have scored more than one run off Wei-Yin Chen in the top of the first, but…Due to the pace of tonight’s game at Camden Yards, it has now been reclassified as a mini-series.

We had two crew chief reviews in the first three innings. We’ve had only one run score despite six hits by the Rays.

We’ve decided that a pillow and blanket might be needed later.

I had a beef and broccoli stir fry for dinner, but that’s not official. The umpires want to take another look at it.

The Rays might have scored more than one run off Wei-Yin Chen in the top of the first, but Desmond Jennings decided to test Steve Pearce’s arm at first base after Chris Davis threw across the diamond. That was rough.

Yes, the umpires watched the replay. For more than three minutes. Just to determine that Caleb Joseph hadn’t blocked the plate in violation of Rule 7.13.

The Rays collected three hits in the second inning without scoring. Ryan Hanigan tried with two outs on Jennings’ single into center field, apparently having skipped the memo on Orioles’ outfield assists.

Adam Jones fired home to get the out, his seventh assist of the season and the 30th for the club’s outfielders.

So far, the challenge of the night came in the bottom of the third. Nick Markakis thought he drew a leadoff walk against Alex Cobb and jogged to first base. Rays manager Joe Maddon was certain that the count should be full.

The man wears thick glasses, and even he could see it.

It took 1:47 for the umpires to confirm that Markakis ran the count full after falling behind 0-2. He made the walk of shame to home plate and struck out looking.

At least he wasn’t headed toward an ATM machine. We’ve all been there, right?

Right?

OK, me neither.

A crew chief review of the count? I’m seriously asking whether that’s a first.

The Orioles have one hit through three innings, Markakis’ leadoff single in the first that left him 50 hits behind Boog Powell for fifth place on the club’s all-time list.

I looked it up, but feel free to ask for a review. We’ve got all night.

Instant update: Nelson Cruz singled to lead off the bottom of the fourth. That’s two hits off Cobb.

Update II: The Orioles scored twice off Cobb in the fourth on Joseph’s two-out single to center field.

Jennings failed to make a sprawling catch as Cruz and Delmon Young raced home.

Young walked and picked up his first stolen base since April 16, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Fla. His ability to get into scoring position after drawing a nine-pitch walk was crucial.

Update III: Neither starter completed five innings tonight.

Chen turned in his second-shortest outing of the season, allowing two runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked three and didn’t record a strikeout.

Chen threw 91 pitches, 56 for strikes. His shortest outing was 3 1/3 innings on June 28 vs. the Rays.

Evan Longoria tied the game with two outs in the fifth on an RBI double, the ball eluding Young in left field. Brad Brach replaced Chen and struck out Wil Myers.

Cobb allowed two runs and three hits in four innings, with three walks, six strikeouts and a wild pitch. He threw 92 pitches.

Update IV: The Orioles collected three singles off Grant Balfour in the bottom of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead.

Jonathan Schoop delivered Davis with the go-ahead run. Hardy and Joseph also singled in the inning. Davis reached on a fielder’s choice.

Update V: Balfour was charged with another run in the seventh after walking Steve Pearce and giving up a single to Jones.

Cruz greeted Joel Peralta with an RBI double to give the Orioles a 4-2 lead.

Balfour’s ERA is up to 5.54.

Update VI: It’s finally over. The Orioles beat the Rays 4-2 at Camden Yards and move 20 games above .500.

The Orioles are 10-4 vs. Tampa Bay this season. They improve to 36-26 at home and 57-30 at night.

Zach Britton recorded his 28th save in 31 opportunities. Tommy Hunter and Andrew Miller each tossed a perfect inning.