Game Wrap and Morning Links: May 16, 2011

Baltimore 9, Tampa 3
Box Score / Play-By-Play / AP Recap

Jake Arrieta came out and dealt again, leading the Orioles to a 9-3 win over the division-leading Rays and earning a 2-1 series win on the road. The second year starter went six strong allowing two runs on four hits and three walks, while strikign out seven. Pegged as a back-end starter by a number of national "prospectors", Arrieta is doing his best to show he still has a shot to be a legit #3 off the strength of his fastball, breaking balls and improving control. J.J. Hardy delivered the knockout blow in the sixth inning, taking a Cesar Ramos offering and depositing it into the left field stands. Matt Wieters had a day, throwing out the only would-be base stealer (ho hum) while going 3-4 at the plate with a walk. Nick Markakis, Vlad Guerrero and Brian Roberts also chipped in with multi-hit games.

Stat(s) of the game

9-3; .325/.386/.550

That is the Orioles record with J.J. Hardy in the line-up, and Hardy's triple-slash over his first 45 PA. Obviously it's way too early to draw any conclusions, but suffice it to say things look a little brighter than they did in 2010 when the shortstops in Baltimore combined for a triple-slash of .236/.277/.272.

Orioles Game ball

Jake Arrieta (6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 SO, W (5))

MiLB game balls

Norfolk (Box) - Brendan Harris, SS (1-4, 2 RBI (11), GW RBI)
Bowie (Box) - Caleb Joseph, DH (1-3, BB)
Frederick (Box) - Bobby Bundy, RHP (6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 SO, W (4))
Delmarva (Box) - Mychal Givens (2-5, 2 2B (4))

Three Morning Links - Draft Edition

Roch Kubatko talks Brian Matusz's rehab start in Frederick tonight and the effect his return might have on the Baltimore rotation.

Bill Haisten of Tulsa World takes a look at Dylan Bundy (rhp, Owasso HS, Owasso, Okla.), potential 1st Rd draft target in June and brother of O's standout prospect Bobby Bundy (rhp, A-Adv. Frederick).

Early AL RoY candidates Zach Britton (lhp, Baltimore) and Michael Pineda (rhp, Seattle) are "emerging stars", writes MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince.

Up Next

Chris Tillman (4.48 xFIP, 65 ERA+) will attempt to maintain the momentum in the series opener against Daisuke Matsuzaka (5.12 xFIP, 89 ERA+) and the Boston Red Sox. Start time 7:10 Eastern at Fenway Park.