Slugging Orioles thump Yankees
Mark Trumbo launched his major league-leading 47th home run, Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones also went deep in a six-run fifth inning and the Baltimore Orioles solidified their hold on an AL wild-card spot by beating the Yankees 8-1 in a steady rain at Yankee Stadium.
Trumbo and Jones homered off Michael Pineda, who started with 32⁄ hitless innings before the Orioles started to connect. Schoop tied his career high with five RBIs, hitting a go-ahead, two-run double in the fourth and adding a three-run homer in the fifth off James Pazos. Baltimore leads the majors with 250 homers.
Orioles starter Yovani Gallardo won for just the second time in nine starts since Aug. 5, allowing two hits, three walks and Mark Teixeira’s sacrifice fly in six innings.
Eliminated on Thursday, New York rested two regulars and pulled four others by the sixth inning.
There were maybe 1,000 people in the seats among the announced crowd of 33,955 when the game began, and there was standing water on the warning track. Only about 200 stayed in the seats for the final out. A-ROD’S NEW JOB: Alex Rodriguez is back on the field for the New York Yankees in his new role as an instructor. A-Rod arrived Friday at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., to work with prospects in the instructional league.
Rodriguez talked with Clint Frazier, Blake Rutherford and Jorge Mateo after hitting drills on Derek Jeter Field. He also spent time talking with coaches and players during regular batting practice.
Rodriguez is scheduled to meet with the Yankees in the clubhouse before Saturday’s game with Baltimore.
The 41-year-old Rodriguez played his final game with New York in August. He signed a contract to work with minor leaguers in the Yankees farm system through 2017. HOLLIDAY ACTIVE: The Cardinals have activated Matt Holliday from the disabled list, and the veteran outfielder could make his final appearance with the team this weekend. Holliday broke his left thumb when he was hit by a pitch Aug. 11. The Cardinals informed the slugger this week that it’s not planning to pick up their $17 million (U.S.) option on his contract for 2017.
Manager Mike Matheny says he plans to use the 36-year-old Holliday as a pinch hitter in one of the three final games against Pittsburgh.