Teixeira Lifts Yankees over Orioles

In rain filled, long and dreary four hour game on Monday night the Yankees (20-15) were able to get past the first place Baltimore Orioles (22-14) in Baltimore 8-5. The game started about 15 minutes late due to the rain but was never delayed by the weather after that. Ivan Nova had a start to forget. In his 5 1/3 innings work he gave up five runs on seven hits and struck out four. Nova left the game in the sixth inning with what is being reported as a right ankle sprain. X-Rays came back negative.

The Orioles got to Nova right away. Xavier Avery led off the first inning with a double and J.J. Hardy followed with an RBI single. Hardy would advance to second on a Nick Markakis ground out leading to and Adam Jones RBI double. The Orioles were up 2-0 early.

In the top of the fourth the Yankees answered right back. Following A-Rod and Robbie Cano singles, Nick Swisher ripped a two run double.  In the top of the fifth inning a Curtis Granderson solo home run, his 12th gave the Yankees a brief lead.

In the bottom of the fifth Robert Andino led off with a walk. Xavier Avery followed with a RBI triple tying the game. J.J. Hardy then followed with a two run home run giving the Orioles a 5-3 lead.

The Yankees would tie the game in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded Raul Ibanez reached thanks to a fielding error by Orioles first basemen Chris Davis, two runs would score.

The big blast would come off the bat of Mark Teixeira in the seventh. Teixeira with a runner on would put the Yankees ahead for good with a two run homer to right, his fifth. An Eric Chavez sac-fly in the ninth gave the Yankees their eighth run.

The Yankees bullpen was great not giving up a run in 3 2/3 innings, and striking out six. David Phelps ending up earning the win, he is now 1-1. Former Yankee Luis Ayala was the losing pitcher.

The Yankees will play again tomorrow against Baltimore. C.C. Sabathia (5-0 3.51) starts for the Yankees, Wei-Yin Chen (3-0 2.68) for the Orioles. Pregame starts at 6:30, first pitch at 7:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.