Orioles' Hardy leaves game with back tightness

Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy left Monday's game against the Houston Astros prior to the start of the eighth inning after experiencing back tightness.

Hardy, who singled in the seventh before Caleb Joseph hit into an inning-ending double play, was replaced in the lineup by David Lough and Everth Cabrera at shortstop.

"I think I was just trying to protect it a little bit ... it was tight,'' Hardy told Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. "I think [it was] from the bed in Miami, so I think I was protecting a little bit and I think Buck saw it and I think he just wanted to get me out of there. ... I think it was the way I was running."

Hardy went 1-for-3 with a strikeout prior to exiting and doesn't believe he'll miss any time.

"Unless I come in worse, which I don't anticipate, I should be in there tomorrow,'' Hardy said.