Recap: Baltimore vs. NY Yankees
Sports Network | August 23, 2008
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Carl Pavano was convincing in his first start since April 9, 2007 and Hideki Matsui hit a home run to record the 500th run batted in for his career, as the New York Yankees edged the Baltimore Orioles, 5-3, in the middle contest of a weekend set from Camden Yards.
Pavano (1-0) signed a four-year deal worth close to $40 million with New York prior to the 2005 campaign, but has only started 20 games for the club in that span. After missing all of the 2006 campaign, Pavano appeared in just two games for the Yanks in 2007. Pavano used 91 pitches over five frames and gave up three runs on seven hits to get the win. Mariano Rivera tossed a perfect ninth to earn his 30th save of the season.
The 32-year-old right-handed Pavano has endured a plethora of injuries in his time with the Yankees, struggling with ailments to his shoulder, back, buttocks and elbow, which he's had three surgeries on alone. His latest recovery has been from elbow ligament replacement surgery, which was performed last June.
Jason Giambi hit a two-run homer and finished with three RBI for the Yankees, who have won five of their last seven games. Alex Rodriguez had an RBI double and scored twice, while Johnny Damon also crossed home once in the win.
Jeremy Guthrie (10-10) took the loss as he was touched for five runs on seven hits while fanning seven and walking just one in 6 2/3 frames.
Jay Payton went 3-for-4 and scored for the Orioles, who have dropped five of their last seven contests. Ramon Hernandez had a single in the eighth to increase his hit streak to a career-high 13 games. Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts and Juan Castro drove in a run apiece in defeat.
With two gone in the third, Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. Giambi made the O's pay as he deposited a full count changeup over the fence in right for a 4-3 NY lead.
Matsui led off the seventh inning by launching his ninth homer of the year to right field. The shot gave the Yanks a 5-3 cushion.
Brian Bruney, Jose Veras and Rivera combined to throw four innings of two-hit ball.
The Yankees made it 2-0 in the opening frame. Damon opened the game with a single and, after Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu were retired, crossed home as Rodriguez laced a double off the wall in center field. Giambi concluded the scoring with an RBI single.
Baltimore rallied to take the lead in the home second. The bases were loaded as Luke Scott doubled, Kevin Millar walked and Payton slapped a single to left field. Castro then offered a sac fly to center, plating Scott, and Roberts grounded out to first to bring Millar around. Markakis' single up the middle scored Payton and gave the O's a 3-2 lead.
Melvin Mora then struck out to end the inning and Baltimore manager Dave Trembley came out to argue that the third strike hit the ground. The debate led to his departure as home plate umpire Joe West took exception to Trembley's objection and tossed the skipper from the game.
To make room for Pavano, NY optioned lefty Billy Traber to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre...Giambi now has 202 homers as a Yankee, which ties him with Bill Dickey for 13th place on the franchise list...Rivera now has 11 seasons with at least 30 saves, including six straight...Although the Orioles reside at the bottom of the AL East, the club has given New York its share of problems this season. Baltimore has won seven of its 14 meetings with the Bronx Bombers so far in 2008, including four of the eight games contested at Camden Yards.
