Yanks Fall To Orioles 6-1

The Baltimore Orioles (73-58) took care of business in the opening game of the weekend series against the New York Yankees (75-56) on Friday night. The Orioles won 6-1 and now stand only 2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East standings. The Yankees could not get anything going offensively, Baltimore Orioles rookie starter Miguel Gonzalez went seven shutout innings only allowing four hits, all singles.

Hiroki Kuroda pitched well aside from the top of the second inning where the Orioles scored three runs. After allowing singles to Adam Jones and Matt Wieters, Chris Davis hit a deep RBI sac-fly scoring Jones. The next batter Mark Reynolds belted a two run shot to left field.

In the top of the sixth Kuroda surrendered a solo homer to JJ Hardy putting the O’s up 4-0. It was Hardy’s 18^th. Kuroda went 8 1/3 gave up four runs on eight hits and struck out four. The loss puts him at 12-10.

In the ninth with one out Clay Rapada got Chris Davis to ground out. Derek Lowe then came on in relief with two outs and allowed two runs on four hits. Mark Reynolds hit his 2^nd home run of the night, then Robert Andino, Manny Machado, and Nick Markakis all singled. Finally Lowe was able to get JJ Hardy to ground out.

Since his stellar four inning shutout debut performance against Texas, Lowe has allowed 14 hits and 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings.

In the bottom of the ninth with two outs Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run off of Brian Matusz, his 34^th of the year.

The Yankees will play the Orioles again on Saturday afternoon. Wei-Yin Chen (12-7 3.78) will start for the Orioles while Freddy Garcia (7-5 4.90) starts for the Yankees. Pregame coverage begins at 12:30, first pitch at 1:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.