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Yankees, Orioles start set in the Bronx

Sep 5, 2011 - 2:57 PM (Sports Network) - Freddy Garcia tries to win his fifth consecutive decision this afternoon when the New York Yankees open a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

The teams will play the first three games of this set in the Bronx, before heading to Camden Yards on Thursday for a makeup game from August 27.

Garcia returned from the disabled list to beat the Orioles on Monday, holding them to a run and two hits in six innings, as he improved to 11-7 on the year, while lowering his earned run average to 3.09.

The veteran right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts versus the Orioles this season, but is just 6-7 lifetime against them with a 3.91 ERA in 15 starts.

Garcia, who is 5-1 with a 1.73 ERA in day games this season, will be trying to help the Yankees win their fifth straight game tonight after completing a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend.

On Sunday, Derek Jeter hit a three-run homer and tied a career high with five RBI, while CC Sabathia pitched into the eighth inning, helping the Yankees get past Toronto, 9-3.

Nick Swisher added a two-run shot and Alex Rodriguez hit a solo blast for the Yankees, who have won seven of eight overall and moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Boston in the AL East after the Red Sox lost to Texas.

"You always aim to win the division, and that was our goal at the beginning of the season, even before thinking about the World Series," Sabathia admitted.

Sabathia (19-7) won his third straight decision by allowing six hits and two runs over 7 1/3 innings, fanning 10 with one walk.

Baltimore, meanwhile, lost the final two tests of their three-game affair with the Tampa Bay Rays, falling in Sunday's rubber match, 8-1, at Tropicana Field.

Adam Jones hit a solo homer for the O's, who have lost six of eight. Jones also hit a double in defeat.

Jeremy Guthrie (6-17) got blasted to the tune of seven runs -- three earned -- on seven hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked four.

"My main goal coming into the year was hopefully to win double-digit games for us," Guthrie said. "As it stands, I got four more chances to win four games, and that would put me at 10 which is a small accomplishment for the season. That's what I've been shooting for."

Today, the O's turn to lefty Brian Matusz, who is 1-7 with a 9.07 ERA. Matusz lost his seventh straight decision on Sunday to the Yankees, as he allowed six runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He hasn't won since June 6.

Matusz is 2-4 in six starts against the Yanks with a 3.65 ERA.

The young hurler's troubles could continue today, as the Yankees are an AL- best 31-13 against left-handed starters this season.

The Yankees are 11-3 against the Orioles this season.