Orioles 5 - 4 Yankees
Final
  for this game

Yankees still battling with Orioles in town

Sep 23, 2014 - 2:53 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Yankees continue their improbable and unlikely push toward a postseason spot on Tuesday when they resume a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

New York crept within four games of the final American League wild card spot on Monday, as Derek Jeter drove in three runs and Michael Pineda tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings in the Yankees' 5-0 win.

"I really believe we have to pretty much win out, but you never know," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "Strange things happen in sports, we've seen it. It's obviously tougher when you're chasing more than one team, but the teams we're chasing have had their struggles, too."

J.J. Hardy's fifth inning single was the only hit for Baltimore in the loss, the first since August 6 for Wei-Yin Chen (16-5). The left-hander was reached for four runs -- two earned -- over six innings.

"I think we've got to tip our hat to Pineda," Hardy said. "He was throwing good. He's got good stuff. It's not like we're not trying to go out there."

Baltimore, of course, has already clinched the AL East and despite Tuesday's loss it was assured home-field advantage in their ALDS when Detroit lost to the White Sox.

Tonight, they turn to righty Ubaldo Jimenez, who was removed from the rotation back in August. However, he threw five innings of two-run ball in a win over the Toronto Blue Jays last Tuesday to improve to 5-9 on the year to go along with a 4.90 ERA.

"He's coming off a pretty good start and it fits into our maneuverability for the next seven games to be able to find out what we need to find out and make sure everybody's getting the proper rest," said Orioles skipper Buck Showalter.

New York will counter with righty Brandon McCarthy, who is 7-4 with a 2.54 ERA since being acquired by the Yankees from Arizona. McCarthy was again terrific on Wednesday against Tampa Bay, as he surrendered two runs and four hits in seven innings.

"I think his sinker's been really good, and I think his curveball has been really effective," Girardi said. "I think that he gets some strikes with it, and he puts some guys away with it, and I think it's been really effective."

McCarthy tossed seven scoreless innings against the O's back on Sept. 12, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 2-1 loss. He is 2-1 in nine games (7 starts) against them with a 3.77 ERA.

Baltimore has won 11 of 16 from the Yanks this season.






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