J.J. Hardy drives in five as O's rout Rays

BALTIMORE -- For the second time in three games, the Baltimore Orioles had an uplifting victory marred by an injury to a key player.

J.J. Hardy homered twice, doubled and drove in five runs, and the Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-2, last night to move into a tie for the AL East lead with the Yankees.

But starting pitcher Jason Hammel left in the fourth inning with an injured right knee. The righthander had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in mid-July and was making his second start since returning from the disabled list.

Hammel will be examined today by the team surgeon. He said the sensation was identical to what he felt in a July 13 game against Detroit, his last start before going on the DL.

"It's a very sharp pain in the knee in the same spot," Hammel said. "I'm hoping it is just scar tissue. I've been told scar tissue can react like that."

On Saturday, Baltimore lost rightfielder Nick Markakis with a broken left thumb while defeating the Yankees.

With Markakis out, Hardy picked up the slack. He went 4-for-5 to help Baltimore pull even atop the division with the Yankees. The Rays are two games behind the co-leaders.

Matt Wieters had a two-run double in the fifth, and Chris Davis hit a solo homer in the seventh.

Six Orioles pitchers limited Tampa Bay to five hits.

-- AP