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Rodriguez's mammoth fifth-inning homer wound up accounting for the
decisive run as the New York Yankees edged the Baltimore Orioles 4-3
Wednesday night.
The Yankees (52-41) moved a season-high 11 games over .500 while
beating the Orioles for the fifth time in six home meetings and
winning for the 11th time in their last 15 games overall.
Rodriguez's latest blast traveled an estimated 450 feet. He hit an
0-1 off-speed pitch from Baltimore right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-2)
into the left-center field bleachers. The ball bounced off a few set
of hands in the first rows above the Baltimore bullpen before
settling into the loading dock area adjacent to Monument Park.
"That was fun to watch," New York first baseman Mark Teixeira said.
"I got a good view of it. It was loud. It went a long way. I think
everyone enjoyed that one."
It also was the designated hitter's 20th home run of the season,
marking the 16th time overall but the first time since 2010 that
Rodriguez reached that level. He missed that mark in the previous
four seasons due to injuries and his year-long suspension for
performance-enhancing-drug use last year. He also became the 10th
player to reach 20 home runs in at least 16 seasons, something not
many expected due to the uncertainty following the suspension.
"I was on the record in spring training saying I expected a lot out
of him," Teixeira said, "and he's shown that I'm the smartest guy in
baseball."
While Rodriguez's bounce-back season continued, so did Teixeira's
rebound year. Teixeira recorded his fourth consecutive multi-hit
game, starting his night with a two-run home run in the bottom of
the first.
Left fielder Brett Gardner added an RBI single for the first-place
Yankees, who have a five-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the
American League East and a six-game advantage over the Tampa Bay
Rays and the Baltimore Orioles.
Right-hander Ivan Nova (2-3) made the home runs stand up, allowing
two runs and three hits over six innings. He struggled with his
mechanics early and escaped a second-and-third, one-out jam in the
fifth by getting two groundouts, including one when third baseman
Chase Headley made a backhanded grab and Teixeira scooped the throw
out of the dirt.
"I thought Nova was good today," Rodriguez said. "I thought he was
Houdini in some innings there and he got out of some really tough
jams."
After Nova's outing finished at 94 pitches, New York went to its
bullpen formula and improved to 39-2 when leading through six.
Chasen Shreve pitched a hitless seventh and Dellin Betances fanned
two in a hitless eighth. Closer Andrew Miller gave up a two-out home
run to right fielder Chris Davis in the ninth but secured his 22nd
save in as many opportunities by striking out second baseman
Jonathan Schoop.
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Baltimore (46-47) lost for the 13th time in 18 games as it was held
to four hits and went 1-for-7 with men on base. Before Davis hit his
20th home run, first baseman Ryan Flaherty's two-run home run in the
third accounted for the Orioles' offense.
"They pitched pretty well," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "We
didn't put enough pressure on Nova there early on."
Besides being unable to capitalize in the fifth, Baltimore ran
itself out of the first. Manny Machado led off with a walk and stole
second but was doubled off second when Adam Jones lined out to
second baseman Stephen Drew.
"I feel like we're a hit away," Davis said. "Headley made some great
plays tonight, and it seems like Teixeira hasn't missed a pick in
the last four years."
Gausman fell behind 3-0 four batters in when Teixeira drove his 1-2
breaking ball down the right field line for his 24th home run. He
gave another hit and a walk but retired 12 of the next 14 hitters
before Rodriguez homered.
"I know my stuff was good," said Gausman, who allowed four runs and
six hits over six innings. "I'm glad that I locked in and went six.
NOTES: To get RHP Kevin Gausman on the active roster, Baltimore
placed INF/OF Steve Pearce on the disabled list with a strained left
oblique. Manager Buck Showalter said Pearce received treatment the
past few days and didn't want to injure the oblique further. ... New
York OF Mason Williams (shoulder) is headed to the team's minor
league complex in Tampa, Fla., to continue his recovery from an
injury he sustained June 19. Manager Joe Girardi said Williams was
throwing but was not ready for rehab games. ... In Major League
Baseball's competitive balance lottery, the Orioles were awarded the
fifth pick in round B (after the second round). ... GM Dan Duquette
said the Orioles will be buyers at next week's non-waiver trade
deadline and the results of the road trip will not change his mind.
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