david robertson

Yankees provide Orioles with good precedent for what to expect in trades for top relievers

Teams are spending big money on relievers, but given the Orioles' model, don't expect them to sink significant payroll into the bullpen.

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter beat the Orioles one last time, hitting a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 6-5 walk-off win Thursday.

Kelly Johnson has worn an Orioles uniform for just two weeks, but he already owns his own little part of Oriole Magic.

Down, 2-1, in the bottom of the ninth after Darren O'Day served up a homer to Brian McCann in the top of the inning, the Orioles rallied with two runs on three doubles against Yankees closer David Robertson.

Despite holding the Yankees to just three hits over six innings, the Orioles fell to the Yankees, 3-2, before an announced sellout of 44,231.

Playing before another split and soldout crowd at Camden Yards — this sellout, the seventh here this year, was announced at 46,667 — the Orioles were shut out for the seventh time this season and first since June 13 against Toronto.

Adam Jones makes a strong case to join Nelson Cruz as an All Star. Others seem unlikely

The possibility of the Orioles opening spring training with Tommy Hunter as the team's closer is becoming more real by the day. Once the team dealt 50-save closer Jim Johnson to Oakland, the club saw Hunter as a fallback option. But now he's turning into much more of a possibility.

Designated hitter Danny Valencia was already batting a major league-leading .548 (23-42) since Aug. 4 before his three-run home run in the eighth inning Thursday night against the Yankees

The Orioles dropped a deflating series to the Yankees this week.

After dropping three of four to the Yankees, the Orioles now find themselves in a tie for fifth in the wild-card race.

For the second straight night, the Orioles' late-inning fate was left to the bullpen Wednesday, and for the second consecutive night, the New York Yankees spoiled the Orioles' hopes for gaining ground in the American League wild-card race.

The greatest closer of all-time, the New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera, served up a one-out, two-run homer to Adam Jones that basically handed the Orioles a 2-1 win and helped them avoid the sweep.

The Orioles deserve props for their campaign to get players into the All Star Game.

Down the stretch is a 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 continues.