Game 73 Wrap-Up (Abridged Version): BAL 6 NYY 1

The Yankees honored Tino Martinez before the game today by inducting him into Monument Park and unveiling his plaque.  It sounds like it was a nice ceremony, and it was easily the high point of the game with glorified home run derby pitcher Vidal Nuno on the mound.

Game Notes:

- Nuno gave up a solo HR to Adam Jones in the 1st inning, a 2-run shot to Nelson Cruz in the 4th, and another 2-run job to Steve Pearce in the 5th.

- The lone Yankee run came on a Mark Teixeira solo homer in the bottom of the 4th.  That was the only real dent they made against Bud Norris and the Baltimore bullpen.

- Jose Ramirez relieved Nuno after 6.1 innings and continued the home run parade by giving up a solo shot to J.J. Hardy in the 8th, the 4th of the day for Baltimore.

F*ck Yeah:

- Teix: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI.  Blah.

Oh Nos:

- Nuno: 6.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 4 K.  Triple blah.  That's now 13 home runs allowed in 12 starts.

Series finale tomorrow afternoon.  It'd be nice to get another win against a divisional opponent.

Game 72 Wrap-Up: NYY 5 BAL 3

(That's an awesome shot.  Courtesy of the AP)

Riding high off the sweep of the division-leading Blue Jay, the Yankees welcomed another divisional rival to town last night in the form of the Baltimore Orioles.  The O's took 2 of 3 from the Yanks at The Stadium in early April and they're right behind them in the AL East race right now, so this was another important series for the Yanks to show they're in it for the long haul.  Hiroki Kuroda got the start last night, and he's sneaky been getting better and better over the last 4-6 weeks.  He had has A-game working early last night, but it wasn't until his offense came around very late in the game that this one turned into an instant classic.

Game Notes:

- The Yankees got their 1 early run in the 1st, something they seem to do every game these days.  Jacoby Ellsbury singled with 2 outs, stole second base, and scored on Mark Teixeira's double to right field.

- Hirok was absolutely brilliant in this game.  He carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning, the only baserunners reaching on Derek Jeter throwing error and a walk, and had 6 strikeouts through 5.

- Then he came out for the 6th and hit the wall.  Double, flyout, double, single, and suddenly it was 2-1 Orioles.  Hirok managed to get out of the inning but it would end up being his last.

- The O's took and held that 2-1 lead because the Yanks could never put another run across despite having tons of chances.  They loaded the bases in the 2nd and got nothing.  They walked the bases loaded in the 5th and got nothing.  Loaded them again in the 6th, nothing.

- Baltimore added an insurance run in the top of the 9th and all looked lost, and then the Yankees woke up for their best comeback of the year.  Brett Gardner singled to lead off the bottom, Teix drew a 2-out walk, and Brian McCann hit an RBI single up the middle to make it 3-2 and set up the dramatics.

- Carlos Beltran stepped in against a smoke-throwing Zach Britton and saw 4 straight 95+ MPH fastballs, 3 of them for balls.  He knew he was getting another one on 3-1 and he crushed it into the left field seats for a 3-run, game-winning, walk-off home run.