Orioles-Yankees: Two-Out Rally Propels Baltimore Past NY

New York appeared ready to defeat the Orioles Tuesday night, heading into the top of the seventh inning with a 2-1 lead. However, with two outs, five straight Baltimore hitters reached base, and the Orioles scored three runs en route to a 5-4 win over New York Tuesday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

The Orioles won their second straight after losing 16 of their first 18 games. The Yankees lost for the third time in the last four games.  

Yankees starter Phil Hughes retired the first two batters in the sixth inning before he was relieved by Boone Logan. After Luke Scott walked and Ty Wigginton was hit by a pitch by David Robertson (0-1), Rhyne Hughes delivered an RBI single to tie the game at two.

Nolan Reimold and Cesar Izturis followed with run-scoring singles to increase the Orioles' lead to 4-2. Izturis, who had three RBI on the evening, also drove in an important insurance run with an RBI single in the eighth.

Trailing 5-2, New York mounted their own two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth. With runners at first and second, Izturis’ error on a Brett Gardner ground ball allowed Nick Swisher to score. Mark Teixeira added an RBI single to cut the deficit to one. However, Alex Rodriguez grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game.  

Early in the game, both teams had excellent scoring opportunities in back-to-back half innings, yet the AL East rivals only came away with one run apiece. In the bottom of the second, Baltimore loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a walk. After Izturis forced in a run with a walk, Hughes induced Adam Jones to hit into an inning-ending double play.
 
New York tied the game in the top of the third. With runners at second and third and one out, Miguel Tejada bobbled Gardner’s grounder, allowing Swisher to score from third. The Yankees loaded the bases after Teixeira walked but failed to score.

Jorge Posada gave the Yankees their only lead of the game with a lead-off home run in the fourth, his fifth round-tripper of the season.

Hughes received a no-decision despite limiting Baltimore to one run on two hits over 5.2 innings. He has only allowed six hits in 18 innings this season.

Swisher and Robinson Cano each collected three hits and combined for six of the Yankees' eight hits.

New York and Baltimore will continue their three-game series on Wednesday at Camden Yards. CC Sabathia (2-1, 3.00) will start for the Yankees, and Jeremy Guthrie (0-2. 3.46) will counter for the Orioles. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.