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New York Yankees Lose Lead, Series Opener In Baltimore (Highlights)

By
Emmanuel Berbari
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The New York Yankees squandered a 5-2 sixth inning lead en route to dropping the first of three with the Baltimore Orioles.

  • New York Yankees: 5 (25-29)
  • Baltimore Orioles: 6 (31-22)
  • American League, FINAL, Box Score
  • Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD

A game that appeared to be headed in the right direction for the New York Yankees did not finish the way they would have hoped. The series opener went in Baltimore’s favor in front of 25,220 at Camden Yards.

Trailing 1-0 heading into the fourth, the aging big boppers in the order put the Yanks on top. Carlos Beltran rifled a two-run shot to right-center for his 13th home run of 2016, and Alex Rodriguez followed by going oppo-taco for his 694th career homer to make it back-to back.

In response the two blasts, Chris Davis followed with a jack of his own in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the lead in half.

That one run lead was promptly expanded upon by the Yanks. Austin Romine, who has been tremendous in a backup catching role, lined a bullet home run into the left field seats to push the lead back to two.

In the following frame, Chase Headley singled in Didi Gregorius from second to extend the lead to 5-2 and give Nathan Eovaldi a nice cushion.

However, the lead was put to waste with the Yanks only two outs from handing the game over to their bullpen formula. Matt Wieters singled in two with the bases loaded to push Eovaldi from the game, and Jonathan Schoop connected on a two-out, RBI double off reliever Kirby Yates to knot the game at five.

Joe Girardi turned to Dellin Betances in a tie game in the seventh looking to keep it right there. Back-to-back singles by Adam Jones and Hyun Soo Kim put runners on the corners and Betances in a jam. Manny Machado followed with a soft ground ball to third that scored Jones and put the Orioles on top.

The combination of Mychal Given and Zach Britton was able to shut the Yankees down in the final two innings and seal the 6-5 win for the O’s.

Turning Point

Trailing 5-2 in the sixth, the Orioles were in a deep hole and were about to face the three-headed monster in a three-run hole. They loaded the bases with one out and Matt Wieters served a Nathan Eovaldi fastball down the left field line for a two-run single to get the O’s within one.

Wieters’ two-run base knock set the stage as the Orioles later surmounted the deficit. It was his hit that turned the outlook of the game and Eovaldi’s outing upside down.

Struggling Dellin?

Despite all of his successes, his filth, his contributions to the three-headed monster, and his straight dominance in 2016, Dellin Betances has struggled of late.

He has allowed at least an earned run in three consecutive outings, two of which have costed the Yankees. His ERA has risen from 1.93 to 3.04 in the process.

Betances remains a strikeout machine, but at times has looked relatively hittable this season. The Yankees can only hope that this is a short-lived hitch in the road for their stud right-hander and not anything that drags out for an extended period of time.

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Injury Update

Mark Teixeira, who has struggled mightily in 2016, left the game with ‘right knee discomfort’. He was replaced by Rob Refsnyder, who made his first career first base appearance, in the bottom of the third inning.

Tex was seen clutching his right knee in the dugout following a second inning groundout and was subsequently sent for an MRI. The first baseman’s average was down to .180 before leaving the game.

In addition, it was no normal day off for Brian McCann. He reportedly hyperextended his left elbow on Wednesday and will be out of action for at least a couple of more days. Austin Romine has filled in handily all season long when McCann has been rested and did so again tonight with his fifth inning homer.

What’s Next?

Ivan Nova (3-3, 3.98 ERA) will take the ball for the Yanks tomorrow night in the middle game of this three game set, opposing Tyler Wilson (2-4, 3.83 ERA).

Nova is coming off two shaky starts against the Toronto Blue Jays and has last two straight decisions. Nonetheless, he has posted a solid 3.41 ERA in five starts since rejoining the rotation.

Wilson has posted a 4.35 ERA in seven starts since joining the O’s starting staff. The 26-year-old started the year in the bullpen, as did Nova, and has transitioned into a regular starter for Baltimore. He was charged with the loss in his latest outing against Boston, allowing eight hits and three earned runs over six and two-thirds innings pitched.

First pitch will commence at 7:15 pm ET from Camden Yards. The game can be seen nationally on FOX and heard on 660 WFAN/101.9 FM. YES will have exclusive pre and postgame coverage.

NEXT: Rob Refsnyder Making Case To Remain In Lineup

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