Guthrie knocked around
The Orioles' feel-good story of the season has suddenly derailed. Rookie Jeremy Guthrie had his third straight subpar start last night, making it through just 4 2/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits, including two home runs, and two walks. It was his third shortest start of the season. In his past three starts, the right-hander has totaled just 14 innings, allowing 14 earned runs and 26 hits. His ERA has risen to 3.50.
Fast start
Manager Dave Trembley hoped some of the momentum from Sunday's thrilling win over the Boston Red Sox would carry over to last night and that appeared to be the case. The Orioles jumped on Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang for three runs in the first inning. Brian Roberts hit a leadoff double and he eventually scored on a wild pitch. Miguel Tejada drove in Corey Patterson, who reached on a bunt single, and Nick Markakis, who was hit by a pitch, scored on Kevin Millar's double-play ball.
Faster finish
Even after Guthrie lost the 3-0 lead in the second inning, the Orioles had chances to regain the lead. They had at least one base runner in every inning but the third and eighth. However, in the ninth after the would-be tying run was thrown out at the plate by Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera, Roberts tied the game against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, blooping a single into right field that scored Tike Redman. However, the Yankees won in the bottom of the inning on Derek Jeter's fielder's choice.
On deck
Orioles right-hander Daniel Cabrera (8-12, 5.14) will oppose right-hander Jeff Karstens (0-2, 10.13) tonight. It will be Cabrera's first start at Yankee Stadium since he came two outs shy of a no-hitter last September. Karstens hasn't started since April 28 against Boston. In that game, Karstens left without retiring a batter after he was hit by a line drive that fractured his right fibula. He is making the start as Roger Clemens serves a five-game suspension.