Chen pitches Orioles past Sabathia, Yankees 5-2

The timing was not in the New York Yankees favor last night. An off night for CC Sabathia combined with a mostly slumbering lineup aided Wei-Yin Chen‘s second quality start this season against the Yankees, as the Orioles earned a split in the two-game series.

Sabathia had a 1-2-3 first inning and couldn’t replicate that again the rest of the night. Chen on the other hand kept the Yankees fluttering in the batter’s box through much of the game.

The Orioles jumped ahead in the second inning on Adam Jones‘ 11th home run of the season. They added a run in the third on a double-play ground out. The O’s scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings as well. J.J. Hardy added two hits and two RBIs. Sabathia just couldn’t find a rhythm. He ended with a line of six innings, four earned-runs, eight hits, and four walks along with six strikeouts.

The Yankees offense had only two runners reach scoring position in the first six innings against Chen. In the second, Alex Rodriguez walked and stole second base with no one out, but the next three hitters couldn’t bring him in. In the third the Yanks got singles from Jayson Nix and Derek Jeter. Again, nothing came of it as Nick Swisher bounced into an inning ending double play. Chen set the Yankees down in order in the fourth through sixth innings.

In the seventh, Robinson Cano led off the inning with a double. Rodriguez flew out and Mark Teixeira struck out. Curtis Granderson produced the biggest bang of the Yankees’ night next with his 13th homer of the season, getting the Bombers within 4-2.

With Chen gone, the Yanks tried to make some noise in the eighth against Pedro Strop. He walked Russell Martin and Jeter to start the inning. Swisher grounded into a force play leaving runners at first and third with one out. Cano ended the rally with a grounder to Strop that he converted into a double play.

In the ninth, Orioles closer Jim Johnson took the mound and allowed Teixeira a one-out single. Tex was immediately erased by the third Yankees double play of the night, this time off the bat of Granderson.

The loss left the Yankees with a 20-16 record and 2.5 games back of the O’s and Tampa Bay Rays.

NOTEWORTHY

• David Robertson, who hit the DL yesterday for the first time in his career will be unable to throw a ball for the next 7 to 10 days.
• Ivan Nova is confident he can stay on turn for his next start.
• Clay Rapada was available last night if needed, despite battling some dizziness in Monday’s game, which was attributed to mixing Excedrin and antibiotics.
• Also, according to MLB.com reporter Bryan Hoch, manager Joe Girardi ruled out the chance of taking Phil Hughes out of the rotation to help the depleted bullpen.

YANKEES TRAVEL TO TORONTO FOR TWO-GAME SET

The Yankees left Baltimore last night and set off for Toronto to face the Blue Jays for the first time this season. The Jays are 19-18 and sit four games back of the Orioles and Rays. Below is a chart of both teams statistical leaders going into today’s contest.

TODAY’S GAME

Hiroki Kuroda is set to face off against Kyle Drabek in the first game of the series. Both pitchers have pitched better than their records indicate.

EDITORIAL NOTE

Later today we’ll take a look at what’s happening with the Yankees’ minor league system in what will be a weekly report.