Since the Yankees lost their first game against Baltimore on April 27 they have had little trouble handling the Orioles.
On Tuesday night, New York hit three home runs, including a grand slam, en route to a 12-7 win at Camden Yards.
New York improved to 17-3 in their last 20 games against Baltimore while the Orioles lost for the 11th time in their last 12 games.
The Yankees immediately scored in the top of the first off Orioles starter Kevin Millwood (0-7). Derek Jeter led off with a walk, and Nick Swisher followed with his 10th home run of the season over the center field wall. Swisher entered the game batting .343 (12-35) with three home runs in his career against Millwood.
New York increased their lead to six with one swing of the bat in the top of the third. With a runner at first and two outs, Robinson Cano singled and Jorge Posada walked. Curtis Granderson then cleared the bases with a grand slam over the right field scoreboard to give the Yankees a 6-0 lead. It was Granderson’s fourth home run of the season and his second career grand slam.
Baltimore’s first two runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the fourth. Nick Markakis and Ty Wigginton led off with singles, but Yankee starter Phil Hughes retired the next two hitters. With two outs, Matt Wieters delivered an RBI single to center. Lou Montanez followed with a bloop RBI single to cut the Yankees lead to 6-2.
Baltimore added another two-out run in the bottom of the fifth. Julio Logo singled to lead off the inning before the next two hitters were retired. However, Wigginton delivered a run-scoring single to cut the Orioles deficit to three.
New York put the game out of reach with a six-run seventh inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Brett Gardner collected an RBI with a bloop single to shallow left center. After two outs, Swisher cleared the bases with a three-run double to right center. Swisher finished the game with five RBI’s. Mark Teixeira completed the scoring spree with his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot to give the Yankees a 12-3 advantage.
The Orioles scored the final four runs of the game, but it was not enough to overcome the Yankees offensive onslaught. Adam Jones hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth off Yankees reliever Chad Gaudin. In the bottom of the ninth, Markakis completed the scoring with a two-run double.
Hughes (8-1) earned the win after allowing three runs on nine hits with four strikeouts. Millwood, who won 13 games last season, remained winless on the season after allowing six runs on 10 hits. He struck out six and walked five.
New York and Baltimore will resume their three-game series on Wednesday at Camden Yards. CC Sabathia (5-3, 4.14) will start for the Yankees, while the Orioles will counter with Chris Tillman (0-1, 7.71). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
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