Yankees 8 - 5 Orioles
Final
  for this game

Orioles resume set with Yankees eyeing 1st place

Sep 7, 2012 - 2:38 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Baltimore Orioles hope to take over sole possession of first place in the American League East on Friday when they continue an important four-game series with the New York Yankees at Camden Yards.

Baltimore moved back into a tie with the Yanks atop the division following a thrilling win in Thursday's opener. The Orioles raced out to a 6-1 lead in that one, only to see the Yankees score five times with two outs in the eighth to even the game. Baltimore, though, battled right back, as Adam Jones, Mark Reynolds and Chris Davis each homered in the bottom of the frame to give the Orioles a 10-6 victory

"That's the biggest hit I've ever had in my life," said Jones. "Everything else up to this point has been leading up to this."

Reynolds had two of Baltimore's season-high six home runs, while Robert Andino and Matt Wieters also went deep for the Orioles, who took two of three from the Yankees last weekend and have won six of eight overall.

"They are playing with a lot of confidence right now," said New York's Alex Rodriguez. "You have to tip your hat to Baltimore."

Jason Hammel got the start for Baltimore and was solid over five-plus innings, allowing one run on six hits. Darren O'Day (7-1) recorded the final out in the eighth to pick up the win.

Ichiro Suzuki and Curtis Granderson had two RBI apiece for New York, which had a 10-game lead over the Orioles on July 18. New York fell for the 11th time in 16 tries.

Yankees starter David Phelps gave up five runs on six hits over four innings. David Robertson (1-6) allowed three runs on three hits without recording an out in the eighth.

"They expected me to come in and do a job and be able to put up a zero right there, and I feel like I let the team down," Robertson said.

Phil Hughes takes the hill for the Yanks hoping for a better effort this time around than the last time he faced Baltimore. Hughes absorbed the loss on Sunday against the Orioles, surrendering five runs and eight hits - 2 HR to Reynolds - in five innings to drop him to 13-12 on the year to go along with a 4.18 ERA.

Hughes, who is just 3-8 in 12 road starts this season, is 5-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 16 games (13 starts) versus the Orioles.

Baltimore, meanwhile, will counter with rookie left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, who is 12-8 with a 3.79 ERA. Chen lost to the Yanks on Saturday, as he allowed four runs (3 earned) and four hits in 6 2/3 frames.

However, he is 1-1 in three starts against them this season with a 3.26 ERA.

Despite Thursday's loss, the Yanks have won four of six in Baltimore this season and 21 of 30 at Camden Yards since last losing a series of at least two games there April 6-9, 2009.

Baltimore is 8-7 against the Yankees this season.






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