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Orioles hold off Yankees; Jeter leaves game

Apr 7, 2007 - 4:57 AM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees are less concerned about a loss to the Baltimore Orioles then they are about the health of All-Star shortstop Derek Jeter.

Nick Markakis and Jay Gibbons drove in two runs apiece and Jeter left the game late as the Orioles downed the Yankees, 6-4.

After fouling a pitch off his right foot in the first inning, Jeter remained in the game. However, as the game went on, he developed a noticeable limp and left the game in the top of the ninth inning. X-rays on the foot were negative and Jeter said he expects to play in Saturday's game. However, New York Manager Joe Torre indicated the team will take a wait-and-see approach.

"If it's really sore, I think (sitting Jeter) would be the prudent thing to do," Torre said.

As for the game, Markakis opened the scoring with a two-run double in the first off New York starter Mike Mussina. Gibbons added a two-run single in the third for a 4-2 lead.

Corey Patterson and Aubrey Huff also drove in runs for Baltimore.

Mussina (0-1) struggled against his former team, allowing six runs, eight hits and three walks while striking out four in four innings.

"I try to throw the ball right down the middle, it goes in the ground. I try to throw the ball in and it goes down the middle. It was just bad," Mussina said.

Baltimore starter Adam Loewen, who went 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA against the Yankees as a rookie last season, earned the win for the Orioles, whose new-look bullpen held off several Yankee threats.

The Yankees were just 3-of-14 with runners in scoring position.

"It was one of those games for us. We pitched well with runners in scoring position and when our backs were against the wall, we beared down," Loewen said.

Loewen (1-0) allowed two runs, five hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings.

"We had some opportunities, I had an opportunity with the bases loaded and didn't drive in the big runs when we needed them," said Yankees designated hitter Jason Giambi, who went 0-for-5 and left six runners on base.

Chris Ray, the fifth Baltimore reliever, pitched the ninth inning for his first save of the season.