Yanks Go Yard Recap: New York Yankees Begin Big Series With A Loss

Every game is precious and right now time is running out. The New York Yankees lost ground in the Wild Card race tonight as they now fall to three games back of the second spot after their loss to the Baltimore Orioles 4-2.

Sep 9, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees manager

(28) in the dugout during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Yanks got off to a quick start of Chris Tillman. Alex Rodriguez was bumped up to second in the lineup and it paid dividends immediately as he hit his fifth homer of the year. The Orioles came right back off CC Sabathia in the bottom of the first. Nick Markakis led off with a ground-rule double. Manny Machado bunted him to third and Adam Jones drove in the run with a sac fly.

The Orioles would take the lead for good in the bottom half of the fifth inning. J.J. Hardy led off with a double and groundout moved him to third. Matt Wieters would bring in the run with a sac fly. Alexi Casilla singled, stole second and scored on Markakis’ single.

The Orioles got some insurance in the seventh. Wieters led off with a walk and Casilla reached on an error by Sabathia. Markakis would ground into a double play but Wieters would move to third. Machado drove in the fourth run with a double.

The Yanks would knock out Tillman in the eighth when Lyle Overbay hit his 14th homer of the year, but that’s all they would get.

YGY Player Of The Game: Tillman

Game two of the series is tomorrow night at 7:05. Ivan Nova will face Miguel Gonzalez.

Notes: Zoilo Almonte was brought up as he’s recovered from his injury. The starter for Thursday is not yet known because Joe Girardi may use David Huff out of the bullpen if necessary.