Orioles 5, Yankees 4
Nick Markakis drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth and Jonathan Schoop hit a three-run homer as visiting Baltimore took the rubber match of a three-game series from New York.
Ryan Flaherty led off the ninth with a double off Shawn Kelley (0-1) and moved to third on Schoop’s single before Markakis reached down for a 1-0 slider and lined it to right-center. Brian Matusz (1-0) earned the win in relief and Tommy Hunter allowed a run in the ninth but induced a double play to end the game and wrap up his third save.
Carlos Beltran went 3-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored and Kelly Johnson added a solo blast for the Yankees. Masahiro Tanaka made his second career start and struck out 10 while allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk in seven innings.
The Orioles did all of their damage against Tanaka in the second inning, when Schoop came up with two on and two outs and drilled a high splitter down the line and into the second deck in left for a 3-0 lead. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the frame on Beltran’s leadoff shot to right field and Johnson’s home run three batters later to make it 3-2.
New York pushed across the tying run in the fourth when Beltran led off with a double, moved up on a flyout and came in on Alfonso Soriano’s groundout to short. Baltimore jumped back in front against Kelley in the ninth with three straight hits to right-center, capped by Markakis’ RBI single, and Chris Davis added a sacrifice fly that turned out to be important when Hunter struggled in the ninth.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Orioles RHP Miguel Gonzalez got the start and allowed three runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out three. … The Yankees optioned C Austin Romine to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recalled RHP Shane Greene. … Baltimore SS J.J. Hardy (back spasms) sat for the fifth time in six games but plans to test his back during Thursday’s off day.