Wow last night's game was pretty eventful. First of all, the Orioles held off a ninth-inning rally to beat the Yankees 7-6 last night, extending New York's losing streak to three consecutive games. This is also the Orioles' first series win since July 24-26 against the Cubbies.
Our productive hitting against the Yanks showed itself early last night. In the top of the first Markakis (10-for-12 lifetime against Rasner) hit a single to shallow right, Huff singled up the middle, and so did Mora to score Markakis. In the top of the fourth, Millar homered to left field for his 16th of the season. God, the Yanks must hate him.
The Yankees get on board in the bottom of the sixth when A-Rod homered to center for the 540th of his career. But the game really blew open in the top of the seventh when Roberts singled up the middle and Jones got hit by a pitch. Damaso Marte came in for Rasner, but Markakis still singled to center to load the bases. Then Aubrey Huff (who's hitting .388 in July) hit a three-run double. Mora hit another to make it 6-1.
Then this is where things get strange. Bottom of the eight and Cabrera was still in. Awesome. Abreu doubled to right. A-Rod came up and Cabrera threw a high-and-tight fastball that hit Rodriguez's left elbow. Home plate umpire Chad Fairchild immediately ejected Cabrera, which came as a shock to the pitcher and Dave Trembley (and me! more on this to come). Next Jim Johnson came in, but Giambi singled to left to load the bases. Cano hit a two-run single up the middle. It's now 6-3.
Top nine, Huff (amazing!) hit a home run, making it 7-3. But then Rivera retired the next three. Bottom nine, George "Scarier Every Time He Comes In" Sherrill was on the mound. Damon singled. Jeter walked. Abreu hit an RBI double, which brought the Yanks to 7-4. I continued to get really nervous. A-Rod struck out swinging. Zing! Giambi hit a two-run single that bounced off Flat Breezy and into shallow center. 7-6. Oh god! Christian (pinch runner) stole second. Cano and Betemit both struck out...phew! O's win 7-6. Not sure why every time Sherrill comes in he has to load the bases and/or allow runs. THEN strike the last two guys out like cake. It needs to stop!
This is tough, but the gold medal goes to Aubrey Huff. His July stats are AMAZING (.388 BA, .409 OBP) and he had four RBIs last night. He hit his second home run in two days and 22nd of the season (lots of 2's!). Without that last crucial homer in the ninth, we might have seen extra innings. He tied a career high with four hits and is 17-for-34 in an eight-game hitting steak. Definitely gold material -- keep it up!
Silver to Cabrera for sure. First of all he (7-6) pitched into the eight inning. He was changed with three runs and eight hits, improving to 3-0 with a 3.15 ERA against the Yanks. If Cabrera hadn't gotten ejected in the eighth, he would have had the team's longest start since his complete game against the Kansas City Royals on July 2. Also, good job handling yourself after the surprising ejection. You did look a little confused, but it could have been much worse.
Bronze to Millar, who put the Orioles ahead 2-0 with a leadoff drive in the fourth inning. It was his 16th of the season and he's batting .362 (17-for-47) with six homers and nine RBI's against the Yanks this season. I guess it's that Red Sox blood still flowing through him that revs him up against New York. I'm likin' it!
So the game was definitely strange, but we ended up on top once again thanks to our veterans on offense. Never thought our little orange bird would strike so much fear into the Bombers!
