Gardner helps Yankees earn split with Orioles

Baltimore — Brett Gardner had four hits, homered and drove in three runs to help the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-2 Monday night for a doubleheader split.

In the opener, Danny Valencia snapped an 0-for-25 skid with a three-run homer off CC Sabathia, and Baltimore ended a six-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory.

The split left the Yankees a 4-4 record against Baltimore and dropped them 2½ games behind first-place Boston in the AL East.

The first game ended with Gardner grounding out as a pinch hitter with the potential tying run on third base. He returned in the nightcap to torment the Orioles at the plate and in center field, where he made several fine, running catches.

Gardner led off with a single off Jefry Ramirez (0-3) and scored on a double by Didi Gregorius. In the fourth, Gardner hit his seventh homer, a two-run drive that made it 3-0.

That was enough offense for Luis Cessa (1-1), who allowed three hits over six shutout innings.

A four-run eighth —highlighted by Austin Romine's two-run homer and an RBI double by Gardner — ended any doubt.

Despite allowing a home run to Tim Beckham, Giovanny Gallegos finished for his first major league save.

New York had a season-high 17 hits, at least one from every starter.

In the first game, Baltimore trailed 4-2 in the sixth when Sabathia (6-4) walked Mark Trumbo and yielded a double to Jonathan Schoop. With the New York bullpen buzzing in an effort to get a reliever ready, Sabathia served up a 2-1 pitch that Valencia drove far over the center-field wall.

"To come through big with the home run there to put us ahead, it feels nice. Can't deny that," Valencia said.

It would be the final pitch for Sabathia, who allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings. The 37-year-old lefty is winless in nine starts against the Orioles since May 4, 2016.

Mike Wright (2-0) struck out four in two innings of relief, Mychal Givens fanned two in the eighth and Zach Britton followed for his second save.

Recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to be the 26th man for Baltimore in the doubleheader, Jimmy Yacabonis allowed three runs over five innings in his second major league start.

Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees up 1-0 with his 22nd home run in the second inning. It was 3-0 before Manny Machado doubled and Trumbo connected in the fourth.

The game was a makeup of a rainout on May 31.