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Yankees try to extend domination of Orioles

Jul 29, 2011 - 2:58 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees try to continue their mastery of the Baltimore Orioles this evening, as the American League East foes start a four- game series at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees have dominated the Orioles this season, winning all six matchups by a combined 51-18 margin. In fact the Yanks have won 30 of the last 37 overall between the rivals, including 10 of the last 12 in the Bronx.

All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano has been a big reason behind that success, as he is riding an 18-game hitting streak against the O's and is a .351 lifetime hitter against them with 19 home runs and 70 RBI.

Heading to the hill for the Yankees tonight will be inconsistent right-hander A.J. Burnett, who is winless in his last four starts. Burnett absorbed the loss on Saturday against Oakland, as he gave up three runs and six hits with three walks in 5 2/3 innings to fall to 8-8 on the year, while raising his ERA to 4.21.

Burnett could get himself untracked tonight, as he is 12-4 in his career against the Orioles with a 4.54 ERA in 19 starts.

"We just need A.J. to continue to go out and pitch well," manager Joe Girardi said.

Baltimore, meanwhile, will counter with righty Jeremy Guthrie, who is 4-14 with a 4.33 ERA. Guthrie lost for the fifth time in his last six starts on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, as he allowed three runs and six hits with four walks over seven innings.

"Guthrie has good stuff, and he had good stuff today," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said afterward. "I think he missed with some pitches on some counts to get us into some good hitting counts. I think we were patient enough to get into some good hitting counts. He kept them in the game for sure."

The road has especially been unkind to Guthrie, who is 0-8 with a 4.61 ERA in his last nine outings (eight starts) away from home.

Guthrie is 3-9 with a 5.46 ERA lifetime against New York.

Baltimore was denied a series win on Thursday in Toronto, as the Blue Jays beat them 8-5 in the rubber match of a three-game series at Rogers Centre.

J.J. Hardy had three hits, scored three times and connected on a pair of solo homers for the Orioles, losers in five of their last seven. Adam Jones had two hits and knocked in two runs in the setback.

Brad Bergesen (2-7) was tagged in defeat for six hits and six runs -- four earned -- with three walks in three full frames.

New York, meanwhile, failed to complete a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, falling 9-2. The loss stopped a three-game winning streak for the Yankees, who enter tonight's opener 2 1/2 games back of the Boston Red Sox for the AL East lead.