masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Steve Pearce is starting in left field tonight, Dariel Alvarez returns to right and Nolan Reimold is leading off.
Caleb Joseph is catching.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting .192/.224/.269 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 43 games since the All-Star break. He’s 4-for-35 this month with no home runs or RBIs in nine games.
The Orioles have won seven of their last nine games and trail the Astros by 4 1/2 for the second wild card. Three teams are ahead of them, including the…

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Steve Pearce is starting in left field tonight, Dariel Alvarez returns to right and Nolan Reimold is leading off.

Caleb Joseph is catching.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting .192/.224/.269 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 43 games since the All-Star break. He’s 4-for-35 this month with no home runs or RBIs in nine games.

The Orioles have won seven of their last nine games and trail the Astros by 4 1/2 for the second wild card. Three teams are ahead of them, including the Indians, who trail by four games.

Prior to last night’s comeback victory, the Orioles had lost all 44 games this season in which they trailed by three runs or more in the eighth inning or later. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marked the Orioles’ first win in a road game in which they faced a deficit of three runs or more in the eighth inning or later since April 16, 2012 versus the White Sox.

When this series concludes, the Orioles will have played 13 games at Tropicana Field this season. According to Elias, this will be the most regular season games between two clubs at one venue since the Pirates and New York Giants played 13 at the Polo Grounds in 1955.

hardy swing back grey sidebar.jpgFor the Orioles
Nolan Reimold DH
Manny Machado 3B
Chris Davis 1B
Adam Jones CF
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Steve Pearce LF
Caleb Joseph C
J.J. Hardy SS
Dariel Alvarez RF

Wei-Yin Chen LHP

For the Rays
John Jaso DH
Mikie Mahtook CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Grady Sizemore LF
Steven Souza, Jr. RF
James Loney 1B
J.P. Arencibia C
Nick Franklin 2B
Tim Beckham SS

Drew Smyly LHP