Yankees 4, Orioles 3: Eduardo Nunez had an RBI single and scored on shortstop J.J. Hardy's error to snap a tie in the seventh inning as host New York rallied from a three-run deficit to upend Baltimore.
Robinson Cano belted his 28th homer for the American League East-leading Yankees, who extended their advantage to three games over Baltimore following their fourth win in 11 contests.
Matt Wieters launched a solo homer and rookie Manny Machado had an RBI single among his two hits for the Orioles, who saw their 18-game winning streak in one-run decisions come to an end. Baltimore's lead for the second wild card dipped to 1 1/2 games over Tampa Bay, which posted a 5-4 triumph over Toronto on Saturday afternoon.
Recalled prior to the game, Nunez trimmed New York's deficit to 3-2 with an RBI single to center in the seventh inning. The base hit chased rookie starter Wei-Yin Chen (12-8), who was in line to get to the win before reliever Pedro Strop walked both Ichiro Suzuki and Derek Jeter - the latter coming with the bases loaded to tie the game.
Nick Swisher then ripped a line drive that handcuffed Hardy, who couldn't properly field the ball once it hit the dirt. Nunez came around to score to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead.
New York's victory softened the blow of losing center fielder Curtis Granderson, who exited the contest with a tight right hamstring. Granderson struck out on a checked swing in the second inning and was replaced in the field to start the third. An MRI revealed no structural damage and Granderson is listed as day-to-day.
Boone Logan (6-2) was credited with the win after working two scoreless innings. David Robertson retired all three batters he faced to bridge the gap to Rafael Soriano, who struck out a pair in the ninth inning en route to recording his 35th save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Making his seventh start, New York rookie David Phelps was done in by his lack of control as he issued a season-high six walks in 4 2/3 innings. He had permitted one walk in his previous 17 2/3 innings. ... Wieters, who extended his hitting streak to six games, has hit in all 13 contests against the Yankees this season. ... Baltimore's Omar Quintanilla, who had a sacrifice bunt in the second inning, went 0-for-1 to extend his hitless streak to 24 at-bats. ... Baltimore activated INF Wilson Betemit from the 15-day disabled list and recalled OF Xavier Avery, C Luis Exposito and INF Steve Tolleson from Triple-A Norfolk. ... New York promoted Nunez, RHPs Cory Wade and Adam Warren, LHP Justin Thomas, C Francisco Cervelli and OF Chris Dickerson as the rosters expanded.
Baltimore | NY Yankees | |
Wei-Yin Chen | Player | David Phelps |
Loss | W/L | No Decision |
6.2 | IP | 4.2 |
4 | Strikeouts | 3 |
4 | Hits | 3 |
4.05 | ERA | 5.79 |
Baltimore | NY Yankees | |
Manny Machado | Player | Steve Pearce |
2 | Hits | 1 |
1 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
2 | TB | 1 |
.500 | Avg | .500 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Baltimore | 4 | 1 | 7 | .154 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
NY Yankees | 4 | 1 | 7 | .138 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 |