Baltimore at NY Yankees - Aug 1^st 2012 1:05 PM ^ET Preview

The New York Yankees were poised to right the ship after jumping out to a blistering five-run lead Tuesday. The Baltimore Orioles answered with 11 unanswered runs to move within 5 1/2 games of free-falling New York, which has dropped four straight and nine of its last 12. The American League East-leading Yankees will look to stop the bleeding and salvage the finale of the three-game set when they host the Orioles on Wednesday afternoon.

Chris Davis provided the big blow with his first career grand slam to highlight a seven-run second inning. Davis has three homers and 10 RBIs in his last six contests. Former Yankees infielder Wilson Betemit is having quite the series, going 5-for-8 with three RBIs. Betemit is 3-for-8 with a homer in his career against Wednesday starter Phil Hughes.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Zach Britton (1-0, 5.74 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (10-8, 4.08)

Britton struggled in his last start after surrendering his first two homers of the season. The 24-year-old yielded a season-high six runs on as many hits in 5 2/3 innings, but did not record a decision in a 14-9 loss to Oakland on Friday. Britton has split a pair of career decisions versus the Yankees, but has not faced them this season.

Hughes snapped a two-game skid after tossing seven solid innings in a 10-3 win over Boston on Friday. The 26-year-old saw his career mark versus Baltimore drop to 4-3 after yielding four runs on as many hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 7-1 loss on May 1. Hughes is 6-1 in his past eight home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ichiro Suzuki has collected exactly one hit in each of his eight games with the Yankees. The Japanese star is 0-for-4 in his career versus Britton.

2. The Orioles placed veteran slugger Jim Thome on the 15-day disabled list after his MRI showed that he had a herniated disc in his back. 2B Robert Andino was activated to fill the roster spot.

3. Mark Teixeira received a cortisone shot in his left wrist after an MRI came back negative. The Yankees first baseman aggravated the injury while making a play in the first during Monday's series opener.