Orioles Defeat Yankees In Rain Shortened Game

 

 

Chris Davis was a big part of  Baltimore's win. Photo Credit: Rob Grabowski

  

The heavens opened up in the 5th inning as the Yankees and Orioles entered into a rain delay lasted almost 3 hours before the game was called giving Baltimore the 3-1 win.

By: Sunil Sunderraj

 

Chris Davis’s opposite field two run home run to left field proved to be the game winner. Jonathan Schoop tacked on a two out single to right single that plated J.J. Hardy from 3rd base increasing the lead to 3-1. It was another lost night for the Yankees as they were seeking to gain some momentum as the All-Star break was arriving.

In the top of the 1st inning, Brett Gardner belted his third career leadoff home run deep over the right field giving New York the 1-0 advantage and some early momentum to work with and build off of. It was Gardner’s 9th home run of the season, which is a career high for him.

Starting Yankees pitcher Chase Whitley was aided by a couple of sparkling defensive plays in the bottom of the inning by Mark Teixeira. First, making a diving stab off a ground ball from Nick Markakis and racing to step on the bag. Backhanding a one hop throw from Derek Jeter to nab Adam Jones. Yangervis Solarte knocked down a line drive off the bat of Manny Machado in the bottom of the 4th inning and off balance fired to  second for the force out.

The Yankees once again played out a pattern that has plagued them the entire way so far this season. They getting decent pitching out of their starters and bullpen but the offense really struggles to generate any runs on a consistent basis. There is no magic wand to make the offensive woes any better but there has to be some adjustments made in terms of approach from the hitters. They must improve in situational hitting if they want to have any hopes for reaching the postseason.

The Yankees record heading into the All-Star break stands at 47-47. They are five games back of Baltimore in the A.L. East standings. New York resumes play on Friday at Yankee Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds.