J.J. Hardy lasted one at-bat before coming out of Game 2. Hardy has been bothered by tightness in his lower left ribcage area. He appeared to be in pain after swinging at a pitch, and struck out looking to end the second inning. Robert Andino moved from left field to shortstop. Felix Pie took over in left. Hardy could be a candidate for the disabled list, though we might hear "day-to-day" after the game. Perhaps he'll sit out tomorrow's series finale and gain another day of rest on...

Zach Britton didn't get rattled on the mound today, and he kept the same composure in the interview room. Maybe he'll crack a smile later tonight. Britton was all business today, shutting out the Rangers on four hits over 7 2/3 innings. He must have left his nerves back in Clearwater. "I felt pretty good," he said. Is it getting easier? Zach Britton comments on his shutout performance as the Orioles defeat the Rangers, 5-0 "Yeah, definitely," he said. "Getting that first one out...

After his team suffered its first loss of the 2011 season after a 6-0 start, Texas manager Ron Washington said the O's just outplayed his squad in their 5-0 win in game one of a doubleheader. "We just got beat today," Washington said. "I wouldn't say we lost, I'd say they beat us. You lose it if you are out there throwing balls all around, but they beat us. "They got a big three-run bomb. Markakis got them on the board in the beginning and that young kid (Zach Britton), he made the...

Brian Roberts is staying in the lineup for Game 2. Robert Andino is starting in left field and Jake Fox is behind the plate. And J.J. Hardy is back at shortstop after being scratched Thursday night. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Jake Fox C Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino LF J.J. Hardy SS Jake Arrieta RHP

Zach Britton's second major league start was even better than his first. After allowing one run against Tampa in a victorious debut, today Britton did not allow a run as the Orioles beat Texas 5-0 in game one of the twin bill at the Yard. Britton did not allow a hit through 4 1/3 and pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings vs. the Rangers. He gave up four hits with three walks and two strikeouts. He is now 2-0 with an ERA of 0.66. He has given up just one run through 13 2/3 frames. Britton threw 103...

It's one thing to pitch well against any major league team, but Zach Britton is having a great outing vs. a very good hitting and unbeaten Texas team. The Rangers entered today with 42 runs scored in six games, a major-league leading slugging percentage of .603, a team batting average of .284 and team OPS of .957. Not chopped liver. He is doing this aginst a Texas team that entered today having not even trailed in a game since the second inning last Saturday vs. Boston. He has now pitched...

It's hard to believe that 84 players were drafted ahead of Zach Britton in 2006. The Orioles took Billy Rowell in the first round, Pedro Beato in the supplemental round and Ryan Adams in the second round. They grabbed Britton in the third. The Rangers have barely touched him tonight through the fifth. Their only baserunners have come on walks to Mike Napoli and Elvis Andrus, and Nelson Cruz's one-out single in the fifth that broke up the rookie's no-hit bid. Britton has faced only one...

Third baseman Mark Reynolds continues to get big hits in the early going for the Orioles. His key two-run double Thursday night provided the O's with a three-run lead. Today, he blasted a second inning, three-run homer to provide Zach Britton with an early 4-0 cushion vs. unbeaten Texas. Reynolds' first O's homer traveled 422 feet to left. He is known for hitting some tape-measure shots. His last homer came August 31st for the Diamondbacks versus San Diego. Reynolds now ties Brian Roberts...

Buck Showalter needs his starters to work deep into both ends of this doubleheader. Zach Britton is off to a good start. Britton needed only six pitches to complete the top of the first inning. Ian Kinsler flied to center, and Elvis Andrus and Josh Hamilton bounced to first. Britton covered the bag for the final out. Six pitches, four strikes. And a fastball that reached 94 mph. Good to see. Nick Markakis gave Britton a 1-0 lead with his first home run. The ball landed on the flag court in...

At this point, it may be a somewhat safe assumption that Kevin Gregg is the O's closer. He has the club's only save this year. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't seem to want to publicly anoint anyone for that role and he has a few options for the ninth inning. Gregg said that is fine with him. "We pitch when we are told to pitch. Buck and Mark (Connor) make the decision as to when we come into the games. Pretty simple," Gregg said. The right-hander saved 37 of 43 games for Toronto last...