The New York Yankees overcame a five-run deficit in the eighth inning but it wasn't enough, as the Baltimore Orioles hit three homers late to best New York, 10-6, on Thursday night, pulling themselves even in the AL East standings in the process.
Yankees starter David Phelps put the team in an early hole, giving up five earned runs on six hits in four innings of work, including a three-run blast off the bat of Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters in the first.
Down 6-1 entering the top of the eighth, New York began a spirited comeback with RBIs coming from Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and a bases-loaded walk drawn by pinch-hitter Chris Dickerson to pull the Yankees closer. Then, Ichiro Suzuki tied the score at 6 with a two-run single to right field.
The tie was short-lived, however, as the Orioles erupted in the bottom half of the frame. Center fielder Adam Jones put Baltimore back on top, belting a solo shot off reliever David Robertson. Following a single by Wieters, first baseman Mark Reynolds clubbed a two-run blast to left. After Boone Logan relieved Robertson for New York, designated hitter Chris Davis ended the night's scoring with another solo home run.
The two teams will meet for game two of this crucial four-game set in Baltimore on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. ET.
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