Kevin Gausman, 2014 Bowman #179

If you're counting on the Orioles being American League East contenders throughout the 2016 season (and if you're not, what fun are you?), then Kevin Gausman's performance is a big part of the equation. In the early going, the signs are promising. Tonight is Gausman's fourth start since coming off the disabled list, and he has allowed a total of five runs (four earned) on 13 hits in 23 innings. He's walked four hitters and struck out 20. Of course, the O's have given him bubkes in the way of run support: no runs in either his first start at Tampa Bay or his most recent start vs. the Yankees (though that one produced the team's first-ever extra-inning shutout win over New York). They scored a total of seven runs in his other previous start against the White Sox, including five while he was still in the game, but Darren O'Day picked a bad night to finally cough up some runs and Kevin got no decision. Tonight he settled in nicely after allowing a run on two first-inning hits, but...hold the phone, Manny Machado and Adam Jones went back-to-back while I was typing this up and now they've given their pitcher a 3-1 lead. I guess I just hadn't been complaining enough!

J. J. Hardy, 2014 Bowman #104

All good things must come to an end, and so it is tonight; the Orioles' season-opening seven-game win streak was snuffed out in Boston tonight. But we might as well take a moment to recognize how special that 7-0 start was. Not only was it the best start to a regular season in O's history (only bested in franchise annals by the 9-0 mark by the 1944 St. Louis Browns), it was the longest win streak for any Orioles team since 2005. I knew that the Birds hadn't ripped off many extended winning jags in recent years, but I was still surprised to hear that. A belated tip of the cap to J. J. Hardy, who took advantage of the ridiculous dimensions at Fenway Park in last night's Dolly Parton Special (9-5 final, you know?) by wrapping a pair of two-run homers around the Pesky Pole down the right field line. Any time you can squeak out a couple of sub-340-foot home runs, that's a good night at the office.

Jonathan Schoop, 2014 Bowman #128

Baseball is back! In Florida and Arizona, at least. Pitchers and catchers reported to O's camp in Sarasota today, as did the overachieving types among infielders and outfielders. The double-play combo of Jonathan Schoop and J. J. Hardy were present today, as both are hoping to rebound from injury-marred 2015 seasons. Today it seems possible. Hope and optimism reign.

Manny Machado, 2014 Bowman #110

If the Orioles were bothered by having to play an afternoon game in a completely empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards, they sure didn't let it show. The Birds came out swinging today with a six-run outburst in the first inning, en route to an 8-2 win in a tidy two hours and three minutes. Chris Davis had the big blow with a three-run home run that landed on Eutaw Street. WGN announcer and resident White Sox homer Hawk Harrelson's subdued call created a unique moment, as MASN's Gary Thorne and his more enthusiastic call of the blast were audible on the Chicago station's broadcast. Thorne was on his game throughout the unusual proceedings, as evidenced by his seventh-inning impression of a golf announcer during an Adam Jones double. Manny Machado also had a good day, going 3-for-4 with a single, double, homer, and three runs scored.

Though Baltimore's baseball fans were not permitted to enter the ballpark today, a small group of diehards still made their presence felt. A smattering of folks watched from the balconies of the Hilton across the street, with an O's banner hung over the railing. Still more Birdbrains stood at the gate outside of the bullpen picnic area, gazing in at the action on the field and cheering loudly enough to be heard on TV and radio on a number of occasions. As I drove home from work and listened to Fred Manfra and Joe Angel describing a mostly uneventful ninth inning, the chants of "Let's Go O's!" came through loud and clear. When winning pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez was asked about the would-be Knothole Gang after the game, he broke out in a big smile. It would definitely not have occurred to me to eavesdrop on the empty-stadium game, but I'm glad that a few others did.