The New York Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 8-5, on Monday night in the opening game of a brief two-game series. Mark Teixeira gave New York the leadwith a tie-breaking two-run home run in the seventh inning. Ivan Nova started on the mound for the Yankees, but lasted just 5 1/3 innings after a right ankle contusion and sprain forced him off the mound. He gave up five earned runs off seven hits during his stint. Clay Rapada entered the game in relief of Nova, but lasted only two batters before being pulled with a viral infection.
The Orioles went up 2-0 in the first inning. They held that lead until the fourth when the Yankees tied the game off a Nick Swisher double to score Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano. Curtis Granderson hit his 12th home run of the season to put the Yankees up 3-2 midway through the fifth inning. Orioles starter Jason Hammel was tagged for five runs, four earned, and seven hits in his five innings.
The Orioles came back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a Xavier Avery triple and a two-run J.J. Hardy home run. The Yankees tied the game again in the sixth when Chris Davis mishandled a bouncing grounder with the bases loaded to let in two runners.
Eric Chavez capped the Yankees' scoring with a sacrifice fly to center to send Teixeira around home. Rodriguez didn't record an RBI, but had a solid day at the plate going 3-for-5 for the night.
David Phelps (1-1) was the winning pitcher for the Yankees. Phelps pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Rafael Soriano earned his second save for New York. Luis Ayala (1-1) took the loss for Baltimore.
The series concludes Tuesday night.
Head over to the SB Nation blog Pinstripe Alley for more on Nova and the Yankees. As always, stay tuned to SBN New York for more breaking news and analysis.