Yankees Sneak Past Orioles and Back Into First Place

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

BALTIMORE – There was no overlooking the game on the top left portion of the scoreboard at Camden Yards, which showed Boston losing big against Toronto.


The Yankees knew a win over Baltimore would likely thrust them into sole possession of first place in the AL East, and they weren’t about to let the opportunity slip away.


Alex Rodriguez hit a milestone homer, Derek Jeter singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, and the Yankees used a fine pitching performance by Shawn Chacon to beat the Orioles 2-1 last night.


About 25 minutes later, Manny Ramirez made the final out for the Red Sox in a 7-2 loss, giving the Yankees a one-game lead in the division with four to play. The AL East winner will be determined during a three-game series between the leaders at Fenway Park, beginning Friday night.


One night after the Yankees and Orioles combined for 26 runs and 26 hits, the teams locked up in a tense pitching duel that turned in New York’s favor in the latter innings.


First, Rodriguez hit his 47th homer off Daniel Cabrera (10-13) to tie it at 1 in the sixth. The shot broke Joe DiMaggio’s single-season club record for home runs by a right-handed batter, set in 1937.


The Yankees went up 2-1 in the seventh. After Jorge Posada hit a leadoff single and Cabrera hit Bernie Williams with a pitch, Robinson Cano moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt against Tim Byrdak. Jeter then hit an opposite-field single to right off Todd Williams.


Rodriguez followed with a fly ball to right. Bernie Williams tagged from third, but was thrown out on a precise throw by Jay Gibbons in a close play at the plate. Replays seemed to show that Williams got his foot under the tag of catcher Geronimo Gil, but home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt punched him out.


Chacon (7-3) allowed one run and four hits in 6 2 /3 innings. Tom Gordon held the lead for Mariano Rivera, who got three quick outs for his 43rd save.


Javy Lopez put the Orioles ahead 1-0 in the second inning by driving a 2-0 fastball into the left-field seats. It was his 14th homer, and second in two games.


Lopez doubled in the fourth to put runners on second and third with two outs, but Chacon retired Luis Matos on a popup.


Cabrera breezed through the first five innings, giving up two hits and two walks without allowing a runner past first base. All that changed in the sixth, when Rodriguez connected on an 0-1 pitch to tie it up.


Rodriguez’s homer was New York’s 223rd, tying the 2002 club for fourth most in Yankees history. The club record is 242, set last year.


In the bottom of the sixth, Melvin Mora drew a leadoff walk and reached third with two outs before B.J. Surhoff bounced out to third.


Baltimore has lost 10 of 11.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use