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Yankees-Orioles Preview

Sep 1, 2009 - 4:04 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

New York (82-48) at Baltimore (54-77), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Alex Rodriguez got a day off as New York opened a long road trip. With A.J. Burnett desperate for support, perhaps this wouldn't be an ideal time for the Yankees to rest any more regulars.

With Rodriguez expected back in the Yankees' lineup, Burnett looks to snap a personal three-game losing streak in a matchup with the lowly Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.

New York (83-48) got a gem from Andy Pettitte in the opener of this three-game set with Baltimore (54-78), winning 5-1 on Monday night to begin a seven-game trip. Pettitte got more than enough support from the Yankees' lineup, even with Rodriguez getting a breather after playing nine games in 10 days.

Rodriguez had not missed a game since Aug. 14, at Seattle, when he was recovering after being hit by a pitch on the left elbow. Rodriguez, batting .270 with 23 homers and 70 RBIs, had hip surgery during spring training and didn't make his season debut until May 8.

"The important thing is that when he's out there, he feels good," Yankees manager Joe Girardi told the team's official Web site. "It's constant communication, and it's important that we do that. Truly, he knows how his body feels on any given day. We can make an assumption by watching him, but I think it's important that we listen to him."

Nick Swisher helped New York overcome Rodriguez's absence, hitting a solo homer and finishing with three hits as the AL East-leading Yankees won for the 21st time in 27 games while improving to 10-3 versus the Orioles this season.

New York is hitting .318 and averaging 7.7 runs, including 20 against Boston on Aug. 21, over its last 10 games. Burnett (10-8, 4.10 ERA), however, hasn't benefited much from that surge at the plate.

Burnett has lost three straight starts and his last four decisions since his last win at Tampa Bay on July 27. He's received three runs or fewer to work with in each of his last six outings.

Burnett struck out a season-high 12 and gave up three runs and two hits in six innings of New York's 7-2 loss to Texas on Thursday.

Against Baltimore, however, Burnett has gotten much more help.

The right-hander is 9-1 with a 4.61 ERA in 11 starts versus the Orioles, getting an average of 7.4 runs of support during that span. He's won four straight outings at Baltimore, posting a 3.82 ERA.

The Orioles will counter with David Hernandez (4-6, 4.24), who is making his second start against the Yankees. The rookie right-hander was outstanding versus New York on July 20, allowing one run and three hits in six innings of a 2-1 road loss before leaving without a decision.

Hernandez gave up two runs in six innings as Baltimore lost 5-4 to Cleveland on Thursday. He had a 7.11 ERA in his previous four outings, going 1-3.

Baltimore has lost five of eight even though its starters have a 2.72 ERA during that span. Jeremy Guthrie gave the Orioles a strong start in this series' opener, yielding two runs in six innings.

However, Baltimore was held to three hits and struck out nine times in yet another poor effort at home against New York. The Orioles have scored three runs or fewer in four of their last five games against the Yankees at Camden Yards, losing four of those contests.

Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones is hitting .118 with no homers in his last 11 games, but has been successful against New York this year. He went 1 for 4 Monday after hitting .396 in his previous 12 contests versus the Yankees.