Cano's Single Lifts Yanks Over O's

(REUTERS/Mike Segar)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Baltimore	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	6	1
N.Y. Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1		1	4	0

For the third time in three big league starts Alfredo Aceves pitched very well. Yesterday he went six innings without allowing a run, scattered five hits, walked three, and struck out three. He's been very impressive since being called up from the minors, in 26 innings he's allowed 4 runs on 20 hits, walking just 6, and struck out 15. This kind of success can't continue, at least I don't think it can, but he's shown he knows how to pitch, and isn't afraid to throw strikes.

Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte and Mariano Rivera threw a scoreless inning each. Mariano picked up the win, improving his record to 6-5.

The Orioles' pitching was also very good yesterday, holding the Yankees to no runs on three hits over the first eight innings. But finally, in the 9th, the Yankees broke through for a run. Derek Jeter was hit by a pitch on his left hand to start the inning. He had to leave the game, but x-rays were negative and he's said he was definitely playing tomorrow.

Brett Gardner pinch-ran for Jeter and immediately stole second base, his 11th steal of the season. Then after walking Bobby Abreu intentionally, A-Rod grounded into a force for the first out, and Jason Giambi struck out for the second out of the inning. Then following another intentional walk, this time to Xavier Nady, Robinson Cano stepped up with the bases loaded and two out. On the first pitch he saw he lined a single up the middle scoring Brett Gardner to win the game.

The win was the Yankees fourth in a row, and seventh in their last eight games.

Boston lost so the Yankees tragic number remains two.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, CF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.307
Jeter, DH	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.304
1-Gardner, PR-DH	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.190
Abreu, RF	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	.298
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	0	2	0	0	0	3	.304
Giambi, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	3	5	.249
Nady, LF	3	0	0	0	1	0	3	.309
Cano, 2B	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	.264
Ransom, SS	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.296
Moeller, C	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.214
a-Betemit, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.260
Molina, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.213
Totals	31	1	4	1	2	5	12
a-Struck out for Moeller in the 8th. 1-Ran for Jeter in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Abreu (39, Burres). TB: Abreu 2; Rodriguez, A 2; Cano. RBI: Cano (63). 2-out RBI: Cano. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rodriguez, A; Nady. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Rodriguez, A (18, 2nd base off Walker/Quiroz), Gardner (11, 2nd base off Miller, J/Quiroz).

ORIOLES OFFENSE

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Aceves, A	6.0	5	0	0	3	3	0	1.38
Bruney	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1.93
Marte	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3.88
Rivera (W, 6-5)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.47

ORIOLES PITCHING

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Alfredo Aceves (6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K)

HONORABLE MENTION: Robinson Cano (1-for-4, RBI, Game winning RBI single)

The Yankee Stadium Finale is tomorrow night at The Stadium. Andy Pettitte gets the start for the Yankees, and he will face the O's Chris Waters. Game Time: 8:05 p.m. - TV: YES - Radio: WCBS 880