Yankees Edge Orioles

The Yankees not only have a six game winning streak, but they have taken over the second wildcard spot from the Baltimore Orioles who have been reeling of late. The Yankees were again able to come from behind. When the Orioles got out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a Chris Davis home run, the Yankees were able to respond with two runs in the second inning after the Orioles tacked on a third run in the top of the inning. Luis Cruz continues to be clutch in his short Yankee career with an RBI single followed by an Eduardo Nunez sac fly. The Orioles would score another run off Pettitte in the fourth inning but again the Yankees were able to come back with two more runs in the fifth inning and would cap off the scoring for the day with  a run scoring single by Nunez, who is fresh off the disabled list. Nunez would go on to account for three of the Yankees five runs with an RBI single, a sac fly and a run scored in the fifth inning on a single by Ichiro Suzuki. Nunez was involved in all three of the Yankees scoring innings. He drove in two runs and scored one to propel the Yankees to a thrilling one-run advantage in the final box score.

Andy Pettitte was the winner in the one-run affair with the Orioles. He lasted 6.2 innings and gave up four runs, three of which were earned. Pettitte struck out four batters in the start but gave up nine hits to a very potent offense. Given Pettitte's recent struggles, it was a good win for the left handed starter. He finally gets his 251st career win in a win that was great for the Yankees as a team. For a while things were looking glum for the Bombers but now they are winning close games again, while doing well with runners in scoring position and not depending on the three run home run to get back into games. Singles in the right spots will also get the job done. Ask the members of the 1998 Yankees.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Yankees will go for their seventh straight win and a sweep of the Orioles in revenge of the sweep the Orioles put the Yankees through in their park last week.