david phelps

Any concern about the Orioles' offense could be put to rest after their 9-5 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Following the Orioles¿ 4-2 loss to New York in the Yankees¿ home opener at Yankees Stadium on Monday afternoon, right-handed starter Ubaldo Jimenez talked about being crippled by not being able to locate his breaking ball.

After Saturday's victory before a soldout announced crowd of 46,607 and a FOX television audience, the Orioles (46-36) have won five of eight this season against the Yankees (42-38).

In tonight's rout of the Yankees in front of a sellout crowd at Camden Yards, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis reached the 30-homer plateau -- before July.

The Orioles will be faced with a roster crunch in the coming days with a trio of injured Birds ¿ second baseman Brian Roberts, left fielder Nolan Reimold and left-hander Wei-Yin Chen -- all slated to be activated off the disabled list.

Outfielder Nolan Reimold (hamstring) was scheduled to bat third as the designated hitter at Double-A Bowie on Friday, but the Baysox's contest was rained out. They will play a doubleheader Saturday against Harrisburg.

The Orioles will face New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia on Friday night instead of the previously scheduled starter, right-hander David Phelps.

Stephen Strasburg surrendered three hits over two innings -- including a single and home run to the first two batters he faced -- in his first action since Sept. 7.

On couches all over Baltimore, J.J. Hardy's game-winning RBI double in the 13th inning must have seemed like a dream, especially since the Orioles spent most of Thursday night putting fans to sleep with their offensive ineptitude.

Shields has pitched slightly better at home (3.42 ERA) than on the road (3.83 ERA) and has been a much better pitcher in the second half (2.97 ERA) than the first (4.17 ERA), which is just enough information to cast doubt on whether his earlier performances against the Orioles this year are even relevant at this point.

Down the stretch is a new daily Orioles Insider blog that will set up the coming night for the O's and their American League competition as the push for the postseason intensifies.

First, the Orioles took the out ¿ and the air ¿ out of Yankees Stadium, jumping on the hosts to take a quick three-run lead Saturday afternoon. But knowing the way the Yankees play here in the Bronx, no lead is safe.

Orioles pitcher Randy Wolf said he knew coming in he would be used in relief, and he didn't have a problem with that. His top priority was to pitch for a contender, but the 36-year-old said coming out of the bullpen will be an adjustment.

Rec sports for Howard County