Offensively Inept Yanks Blanked Again by Baltimore, 2-0, Drop Crucial Late-Season Series

For the second straight night, the New York Yankees were shut out by the Baltimore Orioles in game two of the three-game set. C.C. Sabathia took the bump and the loss for the Pinstripers. Actually lowering his ERA to 4.20 with his second straight quality outing against Baltimore where he once again received zero run support. Getting the ball and the win for the O's was Kevin Gausman, improving to 7-10 while lowering his ERA to 3.58 with HIS second straight tremendous outing against the boys from the Bronx, in route to their game two and series victory.

Both hurlers were pretty untouchable early on, allowing five hits between the two of them through the first 3 1/2 frames, but it was the bottom of the fourth where the Orioles hit the scoreboard first. Mark Trumbo started the fourth with a double to left and scored when two batters later Chris Davis blooped a single into right where it was bobbled by right fielder Aaron judge. The fielding error allowed Trumbo to take the extra base and put the O's on top 1-0.

After Manny Machado made one of the greatest plays of the year to get out of the top of the frame, Adam Jones blasted his 25th homerun of the season, a shot to left a few rows deep into the seats in the fifth that extended Baltimore's lead to two.

Gausman's night ended after six outstanding shut out innings, recording eight strikeouts in the process with his nasty "split-changeup". Michael Givins came on in relief and worked a scoreless seventh as New York still just could not offensively break through.

Although Sabathia was in line for the loss. He pitched really well with six strong innings, allowing two runs(one earned) on six hits while walking two and striking out one. Adam Warren came on in relief in the bottom of the seventh and got himself into trouble but got Machado(career 9-for-12 vs Warren) to strike out with the bases-loaded to end the threat and frame.

When you're down by two and have to face a closer who's been perfect with a sub .7 ERA, there's not much of a chance to get back into the game, which was the case tonight as Zach Britten shut down the Yankees in the top of the ninth to seal the victory. The loss was especially tough for New York to take as all three teams above them in the chase for the second wild-card spot also lost tonight.

The Yanks will try to avoid being swept tomorrow as they face the O's in the third and final game of the weekend series, with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 PM/EST.