Yankees Game 88: Jones' homer avoids sweep

Jones circles the bases after taking Mo (high socks in support of Robertson's All-Star campaign) deep for the blown save and eventual loss. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles 2 -- New York Yankees 1

The game turned from good to bad in an instant today's 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

The low-scoring affair between AL East contenders started in favor of the Yankees. In the second inning, Zoilo Almonte started with a walk. Lyle Overbay's single to right field put runners on the corners with no outs. Luis Cruz would fly out to right field but Nick Markakis would not have his arm challenged. Eduardo Nunez would continue to produce since returning from the disabled list by hitting a sacrifice fly to left field this time, deep enough to bring home Almonte for the Yankees only run today.

The Yankees only produced one run but Hiroki Kuroda was going to make that stand.

The Yankees starter missed his original start with a injury but was dealing today. He would give up a pair of hits in the first two innings but it didn't amount to anything. Kuroda would even get 11 consecutive batters before a seventh inning walk. Kuroda would get an out to finish the seventh inning and make the one-run lead stand.

In seven scoreless innings, Kuroda gave up just three hits and walked one while striking out four. He exited the game with 88 pitches.

The game was handed over to potential all-star reliever David Robertson for the eighth inning. Robertson would make a good representation for fans to vote for him with a scoreless inning with a strikeout.

Then for the ninth inning, Mariano Rivera would get the call for a save opportunity. Nick Markakis got his third hit of the game with a single to center field. All-star outfielder Adam Jones showed why he was deserving of the title when he took Rivera deep for a two-run home run to change the entire landscape of the game. The Yankees went from leading by one to trailing one with one swing of the bat.

For Mariano Rivera, this was his second blown save of the season. Entering today, he had 41 straight successful save opportunities at home. Rivera would go on to lose this game but the Yankees took the series with the two wins prior to this tough loss.

Win - Darren O'Day (5-0)

Loss - Mariano Rivera (1-2)

Save - Jim Johnson (30)

Notables

Orioles

*Adam Jones - 1 for 4, R, 2-Run Home Run (16) in the 9th, 2 RBI (61)

*Nick Markakis - 3 for 4, R, 2B

Yankees

*Eduardo Nunez - 1 for 3, RBI (7)

*Chris Stewart - 2 for 2, BB

Current Yankees Record: 48-40

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