Orioles left fielder Ryan Flaherty opened the bottom of the first inning of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Rangers with his first major league homer. And it was reason to celebrate. J.J. Hardy and Nick Markakis immediately followed with homers of support, making the Orioles the first team in five years to start a game with three straight bombs.
The victim of the barrage was Colby Lewis, who led the AL by allowing 35 homers last season. He’s up to nine homers allowed so far in 2012.
Oddly enough, Hardy also hit the middle homer the last time a team started off with three straight homers. On Sept. 9, 2007, the Brewers opened up with Rickie Weeks, Hardy and Ryan Braun homering as part of a 10-5 win over the Reds.
It was the first time the Orioles had ever pulled off the feat.
