masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNick Markakis collected his first extra-base hit since May 15. And yes, he did it in grand fashion.

Markakis homered onto the flag court in right field with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning, his first extra-base hit in 89 at-bats. The last one also came against the Rays, and it also was a home run – in the fifth inning at Tropicana Field.

Markakis has three career grand slams, the most recent one coming on April 17, 2009 in Boston.

That’s the skinny on Markakis. (See what…Nick Markakis collected his first extra-base hit since May 15. And yes, he did it in grand fashion.

Markakis homered onto the flag court in right field with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning, his first extra-base hit in 89 at-bats. The last one also came against the Rays, and it also was a home run – in the fifth inning at Tropicana Field.

Markakis has three career grand slams, the most recent one coming on April 17, 2009 in Boston.

That’s the skinny on Markakis. (See what I did there?)

J.J. Hardy walked off Jeremy Hellickson with two outs to load the bases after Felix Pie popped up and Robert Andino bunted into a 1-3 out with first base open. Hellickson hung a curveball, and Markakis lined it 342 feet to right. The ball barely lifted off the ground.

Orioles 5, Rays 0.

Luke Scott led off with a four-pitch walk and Mark Reynolds doubled to left field, raising his average to .203. It’s the first time his average has reached .200 or better since May 26, and the second time since April 20.

Reynolds has six hits on this homestand, including three home runs. He’s also drawn four walks.

Update: Jake Arrieta has faced the minimum number of batters through four innings. Two walks, one caught stealing, one double play.

First baseman Joe Mahoney has reached base all five times he’s stepped to the plate in his first game with Single-A Frederick. Mahoney, limited to 10 games at Double-A Bowie because of quadriceps and hamstring injuries, has two singles, a double and two walks. He’s also driven in a run.

Update II: Sam Fuld broke up Arrieta’s no-hit bid with a ground-rule double leading off the sixth.