C-Ya! Yankees Blast Past Orioles, 9-4

BALTIMORE - In a game where Derek Jeter connected for his 2,500th career hit on a bloop single in the first, the Yankees crushed the Orioles on Friday, 9-4.

Bobby Abreu knocked in Damon on an RBI single in the first to make it 1-0 and he wouldn't stop short there, going 5-5 on the night with five singles.

It is only the second time in Bobby's career that he has done so, the first time, back in 1999 on August 8th.

Aubrey Huff quickly tied the game in the bottom half of the first with an RBI single that scored Brian Roberts.

The Orioles would go on to add two more runs in the third and fourth innings.  Another RBI single by Huff and then a solo shot by catcher Ramon Hernandez, his 14th of the year.

The Yankees trailing yet again this season, withevery game being crucial, battled their way back in the top half of the fifth.  Robinson Cano and Jose Molina connected on back to back solo home runs off of Orioles starter Radhames Liz, which would end his night.

The Orioles struck back in the next inning with a sacrifice fly off of Mike Mussina to take the lead.

After that, it was all Yankees.

Alex Rodriguez just missed a two-run shot in the eighth that smacked off of the top of the wall as A-Rod hustled to second for a double, Abreu who was on first, stopped at third on the hard hit ball.

Abreu then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game right after he was almost picked off a batter earlier.  A-Rod moved to third on the wild pitch as well and was knocked in by Xaiver Nady on a RBI single.

The Yanks held onto the lead, getting four outs from Mariano Rivera for his 29th save of the year. 

Rivera did get some support however in the ninth.

Rodriguez just missed another long ball after Abreu's fifth hit of the night.  A-Rod's shot to left center bounced over the wall for a ground rule double.

Enter, Cody Ransom.

Ransom who was 1-for-1 lifetime as a Yankee with a two-run home run, connected with another home run, this one a three run shot.  This youngster is winning over Yankees fans in a hurry, that is for sure.

If that wasn't enough for Rivera, Xavier Nady connected with his eighth home run as a Yankee, a solo shot to deep left center to make the game 9-4, where it would stay.

Mike Mussina in his quest for his first ever 20 game winning season, got a no decision.  Jose Veras (4-2) was on the mound when the Yankees took the lead for his fourth win of the season.

Saturday, Carl Pavano—yes, Carl Pavano—will make his return to the mound to take on Baltimore pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (10-9, 3.15)

Phillip Hughes was in the run to be called up but has hit a few bumps in the road in the minors and will remain down there to get his stuff together.  However, he still could be called up before the season ends.

Yankee News

Hideki Matsui has returned to the team in a DH role and connected with a three run home run in garbage time against the Blue Jays on Thursday night.

Joba Chamberlain is on track to rejoin the team in a week or so and will begin throwing off a mound on Saturday.  He may join as a reliever instead of a starter to close out the year with less stress on his shoulder.

Chien-Ming Wang is still wearing his protective boot and has been all but ruled out of playoff baseball, if the Yankees even make it.

The Yankees remain six games out of the AL Wild Card race behind the Boston Red Sox.  They play a crucial three-game series against them next week in the Bronx.

The Red Sox are a little banged up right now, with Josh Beckett's next start being pushed back due to tingling in his fingers and a very rough outing against the Blue Jays on Sunday.  On Friday, they may have lost J.D. Drew with a herniated disk, a huge blow to their lineup.