Baltimore @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2011 ) Baltimore 10, NY Yankees 11

THE STORY: The New York Yankees have used a five-game winning streak to take control of the American League East race. During that span, they have turned a 1 ½-game deficit into a 2 ½-game lead over bitter rival Boston. New York looks to keep the pressure on and keep the inside track on home-field advantage for the playoffs when it hosts the Baltimore Orioles in the second of a three-game series Tuesday night. The teams played home run derby in the series opener, with the Yankees leaving the yard four times to win an 11-10 slugfest over the Orioles.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN, YES

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Tommy Hunter (3-2, 5.26 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (4-5, 6.75 ERA).

Hunter battled a stomach virus in his last start and he could be feeling queasy facing a lineup that has produced 20 runs in the last two games. Hunter beat the Yankees on Aug. 26, giving up four runs in seven innings. Three of those came via the long ball – to Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada. He is 2-0 in his last five starts but has given up 41 hits in that stretch.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi once again put off naming a five-man rotation, giving Hughes a reprieve and a chance for redemption. Hughes has been hit hard in his last two outings, allowing six runs in each, and could be pitching to keep himself out of the bullpen. He’s 4-2 in 12 appearances (nine starts) vs. Baltimore, but he gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Orioles in April.

ABOUT THE YANKEES (86-53): New York, which already leads the majors in home runs, added some more muscle to the mix with the promotion of highly touted catcher Jesus Montero. In his fourth game since joining the Yankees, Montero belted his first two homers in Monday’s win. He is batting .389 (5-for-13). The prized prospect stole some of the thunder from Robinson Cano, who belted his third grand slam since Aug. 11 while extending his hitting streak to nine games. Since Aug. 7, Cano has a hit in all but one game (26 of 27) with six homers and 30 RBIs. Mark Teixeira ended a nine-game homerless drought with his 36th blast.

ABOUT THE ORIOLES (55-84): Baltimore belted three home runs and pounded out 17 hits Monday – and still suffered its 12th loss in 15 meetings with the Yankees this year. Mark Reynolds and Nick Markakis each had two-run homers and Robert Andino added a solo shot. It was the 32nd homer for Reynolds, who also struck out his AL-leading 169th time. He had three hits Monday and is 9-for-19 with three homers in his last five games vs. New York. Of Andino’s nine career homers, three have come against the Yankees. Rookie Ryan Adams had his first career three-hit game.

FINAL PITCH: Orioles lefty Brian Matusz was 6-0 in his last eight starts in 2010, but the momentum didn’t carry over to 2011. He had lost seven straight starts before he was KO’d after just 1 1/3 innings Monday. Matusz (1-7) didn’t get a decision and could be shut down for the rest of the season.