Baltimore @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2012 ) Baltimore 3, NY Yankees 4
The Baltimore Orioles had the New York Yankees on their heels before their vaunted bullpen let them down. Manager Buck Showalter's charges will look to rebound on Sunday and take two of three in the Bronx for the third time this season. New York pulled three games ahead of Baltimore in the American League East after erasing an early three-run deficit en route to a 4-3 triumph on Saturday. The Orioles saw their lead for the second wild card dwindle to 1 1/2 games over Tampa Bay.
The victory was just the fourth in 11 outings for the Yankees, who watched as Curtis Granderson exited the contest with tightness in his right hamstring. An MRI revealed no structural damage and the talented center fielder is considered day-to-day. Sunday starter Phil Hughes has fared well at home, winning six straight decisions and 10 of 13 in 2012.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, TBS, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (7-2, 3.26 ERA) vs. Yankees RHP Phil Hughes (13-11, 4.02)
Tillman collected his second straight victory after allowing just an infield single over seven innings in a 6-0 win over the Chicago White Sox last Sunday. The 24-year-old did issue four walks in the victory. Tillman improved to 2-3 in his career versus the Yankees despite permitting five runs in as many innings in an 11-5 triumph on July 31.
Hughes recorded his second win in three outings after allowing one run on four hits in a 2-1 victory over Toronto last Sunday. The 26-year-old pitched seven innings in all three outings. Hughes improved to 5-3 in his career versus Baltimore after pitching six solid frames in an eventual 12-3 triumph on Aug. 1.
WALK-OFFS
1. Alex Rodriguez could return to the Yankees as early as Monday, when the club begins a series against Tampa Bay. Rodriguez has been sidelined since July 24 with a broken hand.
2. Baltimore's Nick Markakis, who is riding a seven-game hitting streak, has enjoyed success against Hughes. Markakis is 12-for-36 with three doubles and a homer versus the hurler.
3. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano, who went deep on Saturday, is 8-for-14 with a homer and six RBIs in his career versus Tillman.