Yanks Snap Out of It, Blow Out O's 7-0

     Trying to avoid going 8-17, which would be their worst start in franchise history, the Yankees took on theOrioles in game two of the three-game set in Baltimore. New York sent C.C. Sabathia and his 5.06 ERA to the mound to try to stop the bleeding. Rookie Tyler Wilson toed the rubber for Baltimore. The 26-year old righty has gone 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA so far for the birds this season. With it being announced that Alex Rodriguez would be placed on the 15-day DL this morning, Yankees would now have to overcome injury along with the slow start if they had any hopes of getting back in the win column tonight.
     Both pitchers worked in and out of trouble through the first three innings. Wilson held the Yankees scoreless despite runners being on third base in two out of the first three frames. Sabathia led off the third walking the number nine hitter, Ryan Flarity, and followed that up by allowing a single to leadoff hitter Joey Ricard. However, the big lefty proceeded to strike out hot-hitting Manny Machado and then got Adam Jones to ground into an inning-ending double-play.  In fact, both pitchers had shutouts going through five innings, with Wilson allowing just one hit and Sabathia allowing six.
     In the top of the sixth, Jacoby Elsbury recorded the Yankees second hit of the night, getting on base with a single and taking second on a stolen base. Brett Gardner followed with a single of his own, sending Elsbury to third base in the process. The DH Carlos Beltran drove in the first run of the game when he hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, putting the Yankees ahead 1-0. After Teixeira walked, Brian McCann scored Gardner on a single to right field, 2-0 Yankees. The next hitter, Starlin Castro, tapped the ball back to Wilson, who proceeded to throw it into the dirt in front of first baseman Chris Davis, scoring Teixeira and giving the Yankees a three run lead. I honestly could not remember the last time I looked at the scoreboard and saw that the pinstripers were ahead by three, or even just scoring three runs for that matter.
     Sabathia was absolutely phenomenal tonight. When the Yankees needed a stellar pitching performance the most, the big man totally delivered tonight. He threw a total of 99 pitches and allowed six hits, two walks and struck out six in route to his second win of The season.
     In the top of the eighth, Carlos Beltran doubled off of Oriole's reliever T.J. McFarland to lead off the inning. Mark Teixeira drew another walk and scored aling with Beltran on a Brian McCann double to right, 5-0 Yanks. McCann would score on a Didi Gregorius single, 6-0. Chase Headley would follow with another single and Jacoby Elsbury's perfect night continued as he walked for a second time (3-3, 2BB), loading the bases. Then, Brett Gardner, the ninth hitter of the inning, was drilled by a full count fastball, scoring Gregorius and raising some eyebrows as he stared down the O's reliever on his way to first base.
     Despite having a seven run lead, the Yankees bullpen did manage to make things interesting in the bottom of the eighth. Right-handed reliever Kirby Yates walked Joey Ricard with one out,  which was followed up with another Manny Machado double. Yates then walked Adam Jones, forcing the hand of manager Joe Girardi to use one of his big guns out of the bullpen despite the large lead. Delin Betances would put Yankee fans' concerns to bed as he pitched his way out of the eighth, leaving the bases loaded. Chasen Shreve would come on in the ninth to close the door on the O's, Putting an end to the Yankees six game losing streak.
     Here's to hoping they can keep the offensive momentum going tomorrow in the rubber game of the three-game series, beginning at 7:05 PN ET.