Yankees Blank O’s In Series Opener
Other than serious playoff contention, what more could Yankees fans have asked for? Michael Pineda pitched a gem, a rookie shined in his big league debut, Derek Jeter crushed a two-run double, and the Yankees managed to defeat the American League East champion Baltimore Orioles. Overall, an excellent night in the Bronx.
Michael Pineda continued to show that the shoulder injury, which he suffered early this season, won’t deter him from reaching his potential. He twirled 7.1 inning shutout innings while allowing only a single walk and a hit (a one out single by JJ Hardy in the fifth inning) with eight strikeouts.
He would exit the game with one out in the eighth. The Yankees had a commanding 4-0 lead.
The offense began in the bottom of the third when Ichiro Suzuki reached on a wide throw to first base by Orioles third baseman Ryan Flaherty.
The next batter, Jose Pirela, who was making his Major League debut, crushed a Wei-Yin Chen change up to the left-centerfield wall which brought Suzuki to the plate and gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead. Pirela wound up on third base with a triple.
Two batters later, Derek Jeter hit a ground ball to shortstop which scored Pirela.
In the fifth, Pirela collected his second hit, lining a single into right field. He would advance to second when Brett Gardner walked. With the two runners on base, Derek Jeter blew the game open with a double into the left field corner. Both Pirela and Gardner scored.
Chase Headley would cap off the night with a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the eighth.
David Phelps would close the door on the O’s in the ninth.