Yankees Game 134: Five-run 5th big in win

(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles 5 -- New York Yankees 8

The momentum went back and forth but Ichiro Suzuki turned the tide in tonight's 8-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Through the first three innings, Miguel Gonzalez and CC Sabathia were in a pitcher's duel. Only one Yankees batter reached base on a walk but was erased on a double play. The innings that followed were anything but a pitcher's duel.

With one out in the fourth inning, Manny Machado got the first hit of the game with a ground-rule double into right field. Machado would get to third base on a wild pitch and Chris Davis would hit a bloop single for the first run of the game. The Orioles had a 1-0 lead.

Momentum shift.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Robinson Cano would walk and Alfonso Soriano would take an outside pitch to the short porch and the Yankees turned the 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.

Momentum shift.

Nick Markakis opened the fifth inning with a single and designated hitter Danny Valencia would take a 1-1 pitch deep for a two-run home run of his own. After the home run, Sabathia would walk the next batter, Alexi Casilla. Casilla would steal second base and advance to third on a sacrifice bunt. Manny Machado would extend the lead with a single to left field. The Yankees now trailed 4-2 after having the lead.

Momentum shift...last one.

The Yankees would respond in a big way. In the fifth inning, the first seven batters reached base. Curtis Granderson opened the inning with a double to right field. Mark Reynolds would follow with a double to center field to bring home Granderson. Then, Ichiro Suzuki would hit the go-ahead home run when he jumped on the first pitch from Gonzalez for a deep two-run home run. Austin Romine would join the party with a double to right field and Brett Gardner would hit a single to left field. Derek Jeter would walk to load the bases and Robinson Cano brought home two with a single to right field. The inning would end on a Alex Rodriguez double play but the damage was done. The Yankees five-run fifth inning put them ahead by a score of 7-4.

Nick Markakis would get one run off of Sabathia in the sixth inning and that would be the end of his night. Shawn Kelley would clean up the rest of the inning but CC struggled again.

In 5.2 innings, Sabathia allowed five runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out four.

Shawn Kelley would get one out, Boone Logan would get one out and David Robertson got one out in a pieced together perfect seventh inning to keep the lead intact. David Robertson would also pitch the eighth and he bridged the lead to the closer, Mariano Rivera.

Pinch-hitters Brian Roberts and Matt Wieters would not get anything started against Mariano Rivera and outfielder Nate McLouth would fly out, ending the game and picking up ground on a very close Wild Card race.

Win - CC Sabathia (12-11)

Loss - Miguel Gonzalez (8-7)

Save - Mariano Rivera (39)

Notables

Orioles

*Nick Markakis - 3 for 4, R, RBI (53)

*Danny Valencia - 2 for 4, R, 2-Run Home Run (6) in the 5th, 2 RBI (13)

Yankees

*Robinson Cano - 2 for 3, 2 R, BB, 2 RBI (87)

*Ichiro Suzuki - 2 for 3, R, BB, 2-Run Home Run (7) in the 5th, 2 RBI (32)

Current Yankees Record: 71-63

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