Yankees at Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles attempt to end their homestand on a high note Tuesday when they take on the New York Yankees. The Orioles dropped the opener of the two-game series on Monday to fall to 3-5 on the nine-game stand, and things won't get any easier in the finale as they face a pitcher who has dominated them over the years.
Yankees ace CC Sabathia is 16-2 with a 2.86 ERA and two shutouts in 23 career starts against Baltimore. He owns a 10-1 record with a 2.95 ERA and one shutout in 13 outings at Camden Yards. New York has won six of its last eight games while Baltimore has lost two in a row after winning three of four. The Orioles have allowed seven or more runs in each of their last five losses.
New York lost the services of three players Monday. Starter Ivan Nova exited with a bruised right foot and sprained right ankle, reliever Clay Rapada left with a viral infection and left fielder Raul Ibanez departed after being hit on his right elbow by a pitch.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MY9 (New York), MASN (Baltimore), MLB Network
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (5-0, 3.51 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (3-0, 2.43 ERA)
Sabathia looks to win his sixth consecutive start after beginning the season with a pair of no-decisions. The burly 31-year-old has worked eight innings in each of his last four outings and allowed just two runs in each of the last three, including a victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday in which he struck out a season-high 10.
Chen has yet to lose in six major-league starts. In his last outing, the 26-year-old allowed two runs over a season-high 7 2/3 innings in a victory over Texas on Thursday. Chen, who is 2-0 at home, received a no-decision against New York in his debut on April 10 after yielding four runs – two earned – in 5 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Sabathia has recorded 53 strikeouts against only 10 walks in 51 1/3 innings this season.
2. New York SS Derek Jeter claimed sole possession of 16th place on the all-time hits list with a single in the third inning on Monday. Jeter had been tied with Robin Yount at 3,142 hits.
3. After going hitless in his major-league debut on Sunday, Orioles LF Xavier Avery doubled, tripled, drove in a run and scored twice.