Yankees 2 - 3 Orioles
Final
  for this game

O's try to move closer to AL East crown in finale with Yanks

Sep 14, 2014 - 11:57 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Baltimore Orioles haven't clinched a division title on home turf since 1969. That may change over the next week.

Baltimore tries to move one step closer to an American League East title on Sunday when they close out a four-game series with the New York Yankees at Camden Yards.

Baltimore's magic number, though, remained at five on Saturday, as Brian McCann homered to kick off a three-run second inning which proved to be enough in New York's 3-2 victory.

"The stretch we've had the last three games, we haven't really swung the bat well," McCann said. "It was nice to get on the board. We just needed a win. At this point in the season, every win is a big win."

Antoan Richardson also drove in a run during the decisive frame for the Yankees, while Shane Greene (5-3) allowed seven hits and two runs while fanning nine over 5 1/3 effective innings.

David Robertson claimed his 36th save with a scoreless ninth as New York shook off back-to-back losses in Friday's doubleheader.

"This was a nice bounce back win," noted Yanks manager Joe Girardi.

Steve Pearce homered and Nelson Cruz added an RBI for the Orioles, who remain firmly in control of the AL East, 10 1/2 games in front of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles will play the next six games at Camden Yards after Sunday.

Miguel Gonzalez (9-8) was charged with three runs on as many hits while walking three over six full frames.

Baltimore stands a good chance at getting back into the win column on Sunday with righty Chris Tillman on the hill, as the Orioles have won the last nine times he has taken the hill.

Tillman hasn't lost since July 12 and beat the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, as he allowed a run and six hits in five innings to run his record to 12-5 on the year to go along with a 3.36 ERA. He also continued his streak of 18 consecutive starts in which he's allowed three earned runs or fewer, while winning his fifth consecutive start.

"It was tough for me," said Tillman. "From the get-go, my fastball command wasn't sharp, but my other pitches were. I think if I'm able to throw strike one a few more times, I'm a little better off. I struggled in the strike one category. I felt like I was digging myself out of holes all night, but we were able to make some pitches when we needed to and that's always a plus."

Tillman has faced the Yankees 13 times and is 5-5 with a 5.32 ERA.

New York, meanwhile, will counter with Japanese left-hander Hiroki Kuroda, who was awful his last time out. Kuroda couldn't get out of the fourth inning on Tuesday against Tampa Bay, as he allowed four runs and nine hits in just 3 1/3 frames to fall to 10-9, while his ERA swelled to 3.91.

"I had a great start in the first inning, but I feel like they changed their approach in the second inning on, and I wasn't able to re-adjust instantly," Kuroda said through an interpreter.

Kuroda is 3-3 with a a 3.07 ERA in nine starts versus the O's.

Baltimore is 10-4 versus the Yankees this season.






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