Two days after Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton tied a major league record with four home runs and set an American League record with 18 total bases in a game, Camden Yards again played host to a record-setting feat — as well as one Colby Lewis would love to forget.
The Baltimore Orioles witnessed Hamilton's personal home run derby firsthand Tuesday night, but they responded in a big way during the first game of Thursday's day-night doubleheader.
Orioles outfielder Ryan Flaherty, shortstop J.J. Hardy and outfielder Nick Markakis led off the game with back-to-back-to-back home runs off Lewis — the first time that had been done in American League history.
Baltimore became just the fourth team in major league history to accomplish the feat. The previous three teams were all in the National League, with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007 the last team to do so.
Lewis had an interesting day at the ballpark as well.
After giving up the three home runs, Lewis then retired 18 straight batters before giving up a home run to Adam Jones. A walk to Orioles catcher Matt Wieters then led to a two-run shot by Wilson Betemit, extending the Orioles' lead to 6-1 in a game the Rangers eventually lost 6-5.
Lewis finished the game by giving up five hits (all home runs) and striking out a career-high 12 batters, becoming the first pitcher to give up five home runs and strike out at least 10 batters in a game since 1918.
Hamilton, however, would not be completely outdone by the Orioles on Thursday. In the night game, he hit his 15th home run on the season in a 7-3 win.
