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A-Rod, Yankees return home to face Orioles

May 7, 2015 - 2:13 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Yankees return home for the first time since Alex Rodriguez tied Willie Mays for fourth place on the all-time home run list, as they kick off a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles.

However, don't expect any lavish pregame ceremony to celebrate Rodriguez's 660th blast, as the Yankees have virtually ignored the accomplishment and general manager Brian Cashman has stated that the team will not pay the controversial slugger a $6 million bonus he is due for reaching the milestone.

Regardless, the Yankees return to the Bronx after a 4-2 road trip that culminated with a series loss in Toronto. Still, New York holds a two-game lead atop the American League East standings, despite a 5-1 loss on Wednesday.

CC Sabathia's personal winless stretch lingered on in that one, as the Blue Jay reached him for four runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. He has now been dealt seven losses in nine starts since defeating Boston on April 24, 2014.

"I'm just good enough to lose right now," Sabathia said afterward.

Getting the call for New York on Thursday will be righty Nathan Eovaldi, who is 2-0 with a 3.81 ERA. Eovaldi beat the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, as he limited them to a pair of runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

This will be his second start against the Orioles, who will rely on righty Chris Tillman.

Tillman lost his second straight start and for the third time in four tries on Friday against Tampa Bay, as he allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings. He also struck out seven batters, but fell to 2-3 on the year to go along with a 6.23 ERA.

Tillman, who has served up three home runs to Rodriguez, is 5-5 lifetime versus the Yankees with a 4.96 ERA in 14 starts.

Baltimore struggled against the other New York team, losing both ends of a two-tame series to the Mets, including a 5-1 setback on Wednesday.

The Orioles managed nine hits but stranded 10, with Jimmy Paredes' RBI single in the fifth inning Baltimore's lone hit in seven chances with runners in scoring position.

Ubaldo Jimenez (2-2) lasted just four innings for Baltimore, permitting three runs on six hits.

Baltimore took two of three from the Yankees earlier in the season.