Morning Bits

Good morning everyone!

The Yankees achieved one of their most thrilling wins of the year last night by a score of 3-2 over the Orioles.

Ivan Nova pitched a complete game to get the win. Nova struck out eleven while allowing two earned runs on only three hits in a sparkling complete game performance.

The Yankees trailed by a score of 2-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning to face Orioles closer Jim Johnson.   David Adams started the inning out with a single.  Johnson then committed an error on a bunt by Brett Gardner to put runners on first and second base.  Ichiro Suzuki moved Adams and Gardner over with a sacrifice before Robinson Cano was intentionally walked to load the bases.   At that point in the inning the wonderful summer Friday night crowd got on their feet and made noise that was reminiscent of the old Yankee Stadium, imploring Travis Hafner to get something done.  Johnson walked Hafner to tie the game and with the crowd still roaring, Vernon Wells got a single by Manny Machado to win the game in walkoff fashion for the Yankees.

The Yankees moved to within a 1/2 game of the Orioles for second place in the Al East and also for the second wildcard position in the AL with last night's win.

Game two of this three-game series will begin today at 1:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium.  Andy Pettitte(5-6, 4.40) will try to shake his slump against Chris Tillman(10-2, 3.68).  The game will be televised by YES.

Now on to today's news links:

Hunter Atkins of the New York Times writes that even though last night's thrilling win was good, that what happened off the field yesterday for the Yankees was even better.

Mike Axisa of CBSSPORTS.com has this great article about potential Yankee trade deadline targets.

Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News writes that A-Rod says he never wants to leave the Yankees.

Have a great day everyone!