masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles starter Bud Norris cleared the third-inning hurdle tonight at Camden Yards.

In his initial outing of 2014, Norris cruised through the first two innings in Detroit on 25 pitches, but the Tigers scored three runs in the third. Norris lasted only five innings and exited with his pitch count at 103. He allowed five runs and nine hits in a 7-6 loss.

Norris blanked the Blue Jays over the first two innings tonight, but a walk and single put runners on the corners with one out in the…Orioles starter Bud Norris cleared the third-inning hurdle tonight at Camden Yards.

In his initial outing of 2014, Norris cruised through the first two innings in Detroit on 25 pitches, but the Tigers scored three runs in the third. Norris lasted only five innings and exited with his pitch count at 103. He allowed five runs and nine hits in a 7-6 loss.

Norris blanked the Blue Jays over the first two innings tonight, but a walk and single put runners on the corners with one out in the third.

Flashbacks, anyone?

Maicer Izturis flied to shallow left field for the second out. Melky Cabrera stole second without a throw, but Jose Bautista struck out for the second time to douse the rally and keep the game scoreless.

Norris threw 30 pitches through two innings. He’s now at 48, including 32 for strikes. He’s allowed three hits, walked one and fanned three.

Chris Davis walked and stole second base in the bottom of the first inning. He held at third on Adam Jones’ single to right, and Steve Clevenger flied out to end the threat.

Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz had back-to-back one-out singles in the third, but Jays starter Drew Hutchison struck out Davis and Jones.

J.J. Hardy, back in the lineup, grounded out in his first at-bat. He’s fielded two ground balls, starting a double play in the second inning.

So far, so good.

Update: Norris has tossed five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and throwing 67 pitches.

The Orioles put two runners on base in the fourth, but David Lough grounded into a double play.

We had our first challenge at Camden Yards after Steve Lombardozzi was ruled safe on a tapper near the mound. The Blue Jays argued that first baseman Edwin Encarnacion kept his toe on the bag, but umpires ruled that the replay was inconclusive.

The delay lasted 2 minutes, 38 seconds.