The Baltimore Orioles become the first team in American League history to lead off the game with three consecutive homers

The Baltimore Orioles become the first team in American League history to lead off the game with three consecutive homers, as Ryan Flaherty, J.J. Hardy and Nick Markakis go deep to open the bottom of the 1st; it has been done three times in the National League. The last team to homer in its first three at-bats was the Milwaukee Brewers on September 9, 2007. Hardy also was the middle man in that spree. Colby Lewis, who surrenders the three longs balls, exits with an unusual pitching line: 7 innings pitched, 5 hits – all home runs – one walk and 12 strikeouts. Adam Jones and Wilson Betemit also homer off Lewis, the latter following the lone walk, issued to Matt Wieters. Baltimore wins, 6 – 5, with Wei-Yin Chen getting the win over Lewis.

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Matt Wieters becomes the first Baltimore backstop to win the Rawlings Gold Glove Award

Matt Wieters becomes the first Baltimore backstop to win the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The 25 year-old All-Star catcher, who appeared in 132 games behind the plate last season for the Orioles, was voted by the American League managers and coaches as the best defensive player in his position.