Baltimore Orioles 14 — New York Yankees 5
The Yankees turned to Ivan Nova to keep the winning ways alive in their second game of three against the Baltimore Orioles.
Nick Markakis and Delmon Young hit two ground ball singles that eluded the defense of Derek Jeter and the infield put runners on the corners with no one out. Chris Davis would plate the first run of the game and the Swiss cheese defense would be burned bad when Adam Jones went deep to straight center field for a two-run home run. Not a good start for Ivan Nova.
The Yankees would plate their first run of the game in the bottom half of the inning. Jacoby Ellsbury continues to be one of the hottest hitters in the Yankees lineup and he brings a great speed factor on the bases too, beyond stealing bases. After his single, Carlos Beltran hit a double down the left field line and a slight mistake by Nelson Cruz would allow Ellsbury to score all the way from first base.
One of the two singles to open the top of the second inning would be erased on a pickoff at second base by Nova. Unfortunately, Jonathan Schoop would hit a double past Yangervis Solarte that would get back the run they allowed. Nova would have a perfect third inning but that would be the only good spot in a very bad start.
With one out in the fourth, Steve Lombardozzi, Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop would hit three consecutive singles. Nick Markakis would bring home the fifth run of the game with a sacrifice fly and Delmon Young would knock Nova out of the game with the fourth single of the inning, scoring another run.
Recently recalled Cesar Cabral allowed one more run on a single before ending the inning and wrapping up Ivan Nova’s start. In just 3.2 innings, Ivan Nova allowed seven runs on 10 hits while walking none and striking out three.
The Yankees opened the bottom of the fourth inning with some instant offense when Alfonso Soriano hit his first home run of the season, second for the Yankees overall. A pair of singles by Cervelli and Roberts would be followed with another double by Yangervis Solarte to bring home one run. A ground out by Brett Gardner would bring home one more run but the deficit would stay at 7-4.
With the early season injury to David Robertson, Vidal Nuno was the lucky relief pitcher tabbed to take the brunt of the game. With one out in the sixth inning, Delmon Young hit a two-run home run to make it a 9-4 game. Davis would walk and Jones would hit a double. They would both come around on a sacrifice fly by Matt Wieters and a Nelson Cruz single. In the eighth inning, Chris Davis hit a single and Matt Wieters joined the hit parade with a two-run home run. Nelson Cruz would hit a double over the head of Jacoby Ellsbury before Nuno’s day was over. Dellin Betances would give up a single that scored an inherited runner but he was able to end the inning.
In 3.1 innings, Vidal Nuno allowed seven runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out two. Just as poor an appearance as Nova’s. Dellin Betances would allow the one inherited run but was good in 1.2 innings with three strikeouts.
With the game out of hand and substitutions put in, Kelly Johnson was able to get his first home run as a Yankee in the eighth inning, even if it didn’t make a dent in this definitive win by the Orioles.
Win – Wei-Yin Chen (1-0)
Loss – Ivan Nova (1-1)
Notables
Orioles
*Delmon Young – 3 for 6, 2 R, Two-Run Home Run (1) in the 6th, 3 RBI (4)
*Adam Jones – 2 for 4, 2 R, BB, 2B, Two-Run Home Run (1) in the 1st, 2 RBI (4)
Yankees
*Alfonso Soriano – 2 for 4, R, 2B, Solo Home Run (1) in the 4th, RBI (1)
*Yangervis Solarte – 2 for 4, 2 2B, RBI (7)
Current Yankees Record: 4-4
