masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgJ.J. Hardy homered off his former team in the bottom of the first inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Twins right-hander Anthony Swarzak went curveball, fastball, curveball, fastball to Hardy, who detected a pattern and easily cleared the left field fence.

Swarzak is starting for Liam Hendricks, who was hospitalized with a bad case of food poisoning.

Now who feels sick?

The Orioles have five home runs off the Twins in this series, including two from Nick Markakis, who’s on pace for 162….J.J. Hardy homered off his former team in the bottom of the first inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Twins right-hander Anthony Swarzak went curveball, fastball, curveball, fastball to Hardy, who detected a pattern and easily cleared the left field fence.

Swarzak is starting for Liam Hendricks, who was hospitalized with a bad case of food poisoning.

Now who feels sick?

The Orioles have five home runs off the Twins in this series, including two from Nick Markakis, who’s on pace for 162. The numbers will start hanging from the warehouse later this homestand.

Orioles starter Jason Hammel retired the side in order in the first inning, throwing nine of his 14 pitches for strikes.

Update: Here’s Hammel’s line through the fifth inning: 0 runs, 0 hits, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts, 58 pitches, 36 strikes.

Hammel has faced the minimum number of batters after getting two double plays.

Update II: Hammel’s line through the sixth inning: 0 runs, 0 hits, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts, 65 pitches, 41 strikes.

Wilson Betemit’s two-run double increased the Orioles’ lead to 3-0 in the sixth. Adam Jones singled and reliever Matt Maloney hit Nick Johnson. Jones and Johnson executed a double steal, and Betemit followed with his double.

Johnson’s last stolen base came on July 18, 2009.