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Orioles-Yankees Preview

Sep 13, 2009 - 12:05 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Baltimore (57-83) at New York (91-51), 1:05 p.m. EDT

The Baltimore Orioles are in position to complete their first three-game sweep in the Bronx in 23 years. Standing in their way, though, is the red-hot CC Sabathia.

Sabathia takes the mound Sunday as the AL East-leading New York Yankees try to avoid an embarrassing sweep to the division's last-place team.

New York (91-52) came into the weekend having won 10 in a row at home over Baltimore (58-83), including six this year by a combined 41-18 score. The Yankees, though, dropped the series opener 10-4 Friday and lost 7-3 on Saturday.

It's a rare stumble in the Bronx for one of the majors' best home teams. They figure to bounce back, though, having not suffered a three-game sweep at home this season and not against the Orioles since June 6-8, 1986. A loss Sunday also would mark just the second time New York has dropped more than two in a row at the new Yankee Stadium.

Though they have a major league-high 49 home wins and the best record in the majors, the Yankees refuse to become complacent.

"We have not clinched anything or won anything yet," captain Derek Jeter said. "Our focus has always remained to try to win games and win the division, so that's what everyone's looking forward to."

New York has a big reason to be confident in its ability avoid the sweep as it sends Sabathia (16-7, 3.40 ERA) to the mound. The Yankees have won Sabathia's last eight starts with the left-hander recording victories in six of those games. He's looking to become the first AL pitcher to 17 wins, which would tie his total from last year with Cleveland and Milwaukee.

Sabathia, owner of a 1.75 ERA in his last seven outings, did not receive a decision against Tampa Bay on Monday after allowing one run and three hits while striking out 10 in seven innings of a 4-1 win.

He lost to the Orioles in his Yankees debut but has since won all three of his starts against them, giving up two runs in 23 innings with 24 strikeouts.

Brian Roberts, who hit a grand slam Saturday and has driven in seven runs in the series, is 6 for 12 against Sabathia this year.

The Yankees turn to Sabathia after a poor start by A.J. Burnett. After New York's bullpen allowed seven runs in Friday's loss, Burnett gave up six runs in the second inning Saturday.

"It was a bit of surprise to have that big an inning," said Roberts, who is hitting .304 against New York this year.

Miguel Cabrera and Jorge Posada hit back-to-back, two-out RBI singles in the ninth, but Jeter struck out to end the game. The Yankees shortstop went 1 for 5 with two strikeouts a day after he passed Lou Gehrig to become the franchise's all-time leader in hits.

New York hasn't lost three in a row since July 30-Aug. 1.

The Orioles will hand the ball to Jeremy Guthrie (10-13, 4.96), who is 3-1 with a 1.33 ERA in his last four starts.

The right-hander allowed six hits in seven innings of a 7-0 win over Texas on Sunday, striking out six.

Since beating Sabathia on April 6, Guthrie has lost his last three starts against the Yankees.

Nick Swisher, hitless in six at-bats in this series, is 4 for 7 with two doubles and two home runs against Guthrie this year.

Johnny Damon missed his second straight game Saturday because of a stiff back. Manager Joe Girardi said Damon likely will start Sunday, although he's 1 for 10 against Guthrie this season.