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Yankees-Orioles Preview

Sep 2, 2009 - 4:52 AM By JON PALMIERI STATS Editor

New York (83-48) at Baltimore (54-78), 7:05 p.m. EDT

There doesn't seem to be much doubt about the outcome of a meeting between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles right now. Having a red-hot CC Sabathia on the mound likely won't do anything to change that.

Sabathia looks to become the first 16-game winner in the AL and help the Yankees to a 10th straight win over the Orioles on Wednesday night at Camden Yards.

The Yankees (84-48) have dominated the Orioles (54-79) for more than a decade, winning every season series except one since 1997. This year has been more of the same, with New York taking 11 of 14 matchups including the last nine.

Jorge Posada homered twice, and Nick Swisher and Eric Hinske hit successive drives in a three-run seventh inning that carried the Yankees to their fifth straight overall win, 9-6 over the Orioles on Tuesday night.

"With this lineup, it seems like we don't die down. It's good to see," Posada said. "We get good at-bats, and the guys later on really got on base to provide that. Swisher's home run was key, though."

Robinson Cano also went deep for New York, which has won 22 of 28 to move 36 games over .500 for the first time since finishing the 2004 season 101-61.

The Yankees have averaged 6.7 runs while hitting 20 homers during their nine-game streak against the Orioles.

Cano has done a good share of the damage against Baltimore in 2009, batting .481 (25 for 52) with six homers and 17 RBIs. Nick Swisher also has been a major contributor with five home runs, 15 RBIs and a .389 batting average.

Among baseball's best pitchers lately, Sabathia (15-7, 3.56 ERA) looks to continue his run and beat the Orioles for the third straight time. The New York ace failed in a bid to win his sixth consecutive start Friday against the White Sox but pitched well again, yielding two runs and eight hits in seven innings with a season high-tying 10 strikeouts.

Sabathia, who did not receive a decision, is 5-0 with a 2.64 ERA in his last six starts.

The left-hander struggled at Camden Yards on opening day but has been outstanding in winning his last two starts against Baltimore, allowing one run and seven hits in 16 innings while walking two and striking out 15.

He is 7-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 12 career starts against the Orioles.

Brian Roberts and Melvin Mora are a combined 9 for 53 (.170) against Sabathia.

Headed for its 12th straight losing season, Baltimore is 16-33 against AL East opponents and 1-11-2 in series since the All-Star break.

The Orioles likely will be without All-Star center fielder Adam Jones after he left Tuesday's game with a left ankle injury. Orioles manager Dave Trembley described the injury as "a pretty good sprain" although X-rays were negative.

Jason Berken (4-11, 6.33) takes the mound for Baltimore looking to win a third straight start. The rookie right-hander has pitched effectively in his past two outings after losing 11 of his previous 12 decisions.

Although he failed for the fourth consecutive start to complete six innings, Berken limited Cleveland to two runs and five hits over five innings in a 13-4 win Friday.

Berken was a 6-4 loser to the Yankees on July 22 after yielding five runs and seven hits in six innings.