Sunday’s game against New York started out as a close game, and it looked like Baltimore was perhaps going to suffer a close loss; however, the Yankees hurt the Orioles in the eighth inning by scoring, yes, eight times – a similar event took place a few weeks ago at Camden Yards.
In the end, the Yankees took what was a 5-3 game and turned it into a 13-3 final whipping once the Orioles got their bats in the frame. The Orioles could not get the sweep, and Chris Waters along with Bob McCrory got shelled hard in the eighth inning, being charged with four runs each. It looked like a virtual hit parade as New York batted around and then some, which started off with a Hideki Matsui three-run homer and fell apart from there.
Matsui ended up having five RBI, Melky Cabrera with three and Mark Teixiera with two thanks to an RBI-double in the eighth inning. The game was made eventful as both Alex Rodriguez and New York manager added great theatre to their ejections, but the rest of the afternoon would suck for Baltimore.
Jeremy Guthrie was not as effective as he on Sunday as in his past four starts, and he took the loss – his 14th on the season. He lasted 5 2/3 innings and was charged with five runs given up. He would allow the Yankees to score in the first off an Alex Rodriguez RBI-single, and then twice in the fourth off a Melky Cabrera RBI single, and gave up two more in the sixth off two-run single from Hideki Matsui.
Baltimore tied the game in the second inning as Justin Turner plated in a run with a groundout, and took a 2-1 lead in the fourth after a Chad Moeller sacrifice fly. The Oriole raised the score to 3-1 in the fourth as Jeff Fiorentino was credited with a sacrifice fly as he flew out to left; however, what turned out to a simple flyball to left with a runner on second and with one out became an adventure.
Johnny Damon – the left fielder – seemingly forgot how many outs there were in the frame, and though it was over. While Damon was pacing in the outfielder and motioning as if he were going to throw the ball into the stands. Justin Turner – who was on second for Baltimore – was paying attention to Damon’s lapse of judgment and ran all the way home. He attempted to throw home, but it was too late.
However, after that inning, Baltimore would be stymied by C.C. Sabathia – the starting pitcher for New York — who won his 17th game of the season by going seven strong innings and striking out four.
Well, the season is almost over for Baltimore, but from what I have seen from time to time this seaso, there might have to be an overhaul of the bullpen done in addition to everything else on the table.
