Here’s what passes for good news in Baltimore these days: During last night’s 4–2 loss to the Yankees, the O’s led in five innings. It’s the longest stretch during which they’ve had a lead since May 25, more than two weeks ago. That’s directly from the team’s PR department, by the way. (Well, via Ben Shpigel of the Times.) We guess you really can spin anything.
The usual Baltimore-killing suspects stepped up in this one: CC Sabathia struck out Luke Scott with the bases loaded in the seventh to preserve a 3–2 lead (four of his six wins this season have come against the Orioles), and Robinson Cano collected three hits, including an RBI single in the sixth to tie the game (it’s his ninth-straight multiple-hit game against the O’s). And just like it cost Brian Matusz last week, the Orioles defense let down Chris Tillman, including a sixth-inning throwing error that allowed Alex Rodriguez to score the go-ahead run. (The Yankees, meanwhile, benefited from a Kevin Russo diving catch in the eighth.)
In case you’ve lost count, the win makes ten straight against Baltimore. In their eleven meetings this season, the Yankees have outscored the Orioles 65–29. Unfortunately, after tonight, the two teams don’t meet again until September.