The Yankees won tonight by a score of 10–2 over the Orioles, but that score could be a little bit misleading. The game was actually very close for eight innings before the Yankees took control in the ninth, batting around and scoring 7 runs to widen the gap.

CC Sabathia put together another stellar start for the Yankees, allowing just one run which came on a sac fly by Nick Markakis in the first inning that put the O's up by a score of 1–0. CC ran into a little bit of trouble in the second, but recorded back-to-back strikeouts with the bases loaded to get out of trouble. From there on, he didn't allow a runner to reach third base. Sabathia went 7 innings, allowing 7 hits and striking out 9 en route to his league leading 16th win.

The Yankees got a game-tying home run from Eric Hinske in the third inning, and Alex Rodriguez put the Yankees ahead 3–1 with a two-run single, but they didn't get any real offensive outburst until the ninth inning. The Yankees had 7 hits in the inning, all singles, en route to a 7-run inning in which the Yankees sent 12 batters to the plate. The inning carried on for so long that Derek Jeter, who was 0-for-4 entering the inning, was able to extend his hitting streak to 6 games even after leading the inning off with a walk. A-Rod drove in another two runs in the inning, capping off a 4-RBI night.

Phil Hughes pitched the last inning and a third of the game and actually recorded a save in this one, as the Yankees were still leading by only one when he entered the game with two outs in the eighth.

With the win, the Yankees gained a game over the Red Sox and now lead the A.L. East by 7.5 games. They also have a 6.5 game lead over the Angels for the best record in the American League.

The Yankees will be in Toronto tomorrow night and will send Chad Gaudin to the mound to face his former team (Gaudin actually appeared in 5 games for the Jays in 2005). The Blue Jays will counter with Ricky Romero. Game is slated to start at 7:07 ET.

Recap records: Seamus: 39–22, Patrick: 36–16, Andrew: 10–10

Peter Abraham reports that Mo is feeling a bit of tightness or stiffness in his groin. Both Mo and Joe Girardi seem relatively unconcerned - if this were the playoffs, Rivera said he'd be pitching. He'll likely get a few days off to rest and then, hopefully, will be good to go.

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that Brett Gardner is heading to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to get some rehab time with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate. Joe Girardi hinted that he could be back by Labor Day.

Yesterday, we mentioned that A-Rod might not need that second hip surgery. The third baseman put it at 20% he wouldn't need it, 80% he would. The doctor in charge, Marc Philippon, weighed in today to the Post.

"I don't want to jinx us, but there is a very good chance we can use conservative treatment," Philippon told George A. King III. "We will take our time and look at all the variables but I am very optimistic and happy."

Via Ed Eagle.

For the third consecutive start, A.J. Burnett's ERA went up - but, unlike the last two, the Yankees were able to win this game. It was thanks to an offense that scored 9 runs and a bullpen that allowed nothing for the final 3.2 innings.

Burnett threw 109 pitches over 5.1 innings, allowing 6 runs on 11 hits and 2 walks. But, the Yanks scored just as frequently and he left with a 6-6 tie.

Robinson Cano's two run homer in the second, scoring Jorge Posada, signaled the first two runs of the games. Posada came back again in the third, taking a solo shot of his own. In the fifth it was, guess who, Jorge Posada with a two run jack that brought Teixiera around. A-Rod would single in Melky Cabrera to tie it up in the sixth.

In the top of the seventh, the Yankees tacked on 3 runs, thanks to home runs by Nick Swisher and Eric Hinske. Swisher's scored Cano, as well.

That was all the bullpen would need. Damaso Marte (1 inning), Dave Robertson (1), Phil Coke (.2) and Mariano Rivera (1) combined to allow just 2 hits over the final 3.2, giving Damaso Marte his first win of the season and Mariano Rivera his 38th save (his ERA is now 1.78).

The Red Sox won to stay 6.5 games back. Tomorrow, at 7:05 PM ET, CC Sabathia (15.7, 3.56) goes against Jason Berken (4-11, 6.33) as the Yankees try to sweet the three game set with Baltimore.

Recap records: Seamus: 38–22, Patrick: 36–16, Andrew: 10–10

Peter Abraham reports that Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena, Edwar Ramirez, Mark Melancon and Mike Dunn have been called out on this, the first day of September. Jonathan Albaladejo should be up in the next couple of days. He would have been already, if not for his eye coming in contact with a baseball yesterday.

Mark Feinsand says that Shelley Duncan and Austin Jackson are likely to be on their way after the International League playoffs come to an end.

Via Ben Kabak.

Chad Jennings reports that Shelley Duncan has been named the MVP of the International League. He hit .273 with 29 home runs and 92 RBI in 116 games.

Austin Jackson was pegged as the Rookie of the Year. He hit 2.93 with 4 home runs, 57 RBI, 62 runs and 23 stolen bases in 235 games.

Finally, Kevin Russo was named to the IL All-Star team. The second baseman hit .335 with 4 home runs, 47 runs and 26 RBI in 83 games.

You probably know that Andy Pettitte lost a perfect game in last night's game with two out in the seventh when Jerry Hairston Jr. misplayed a hard hit ball on a play that should have been made. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Peter Abraham (with audio) and the AP have quotes from Pettitte and Hairston on the night. From the AP:


And Hoch:


Well handled, gentleman.

George A. King III of the Post reports that A-Rod may not need that second hip surgery after all. It's still likely, but Rodriguez said there is a 20% shot he won't need it. I would expect if there is any chance at all that not having the second surgery could hurt him long time, he's going to have it. He's too costly an investment not to.

Tonight's game for the Yankees against the Orioles began at 7:05 ET. 21 batters and about 3 ulcers later, the Orioles had their first baserunner. An error by Jerry Hairston Jr. with two outs in the seventh followed by a base hit by Nick Markakis ended Andy Pettitte's perfect game and no-hit bids, but Pettitte's gem was still more than enough to help the Yankees secure a 5–1 victory over the O's in Camden Yards.

Pettitte was completely locked in, retiring the first 20 batters he faced in the game. Andy had Oriole hitters looking foolish until with two outs in the seventh inning, Jerry Hairston Jr. let a ground ball that was hit right at him go under his legs for an E5, ending Pettitte's perfect game bid just seven outs short. The next batter, Nick Markakis, ended Pettitte's no-hit bid with a solid single down the left field line. Hard to say what could have been, as not only did Hairston botch Pettitte's perfect game with his error, but Markakis' hit came with Pettitte pitching out of the stretch in the 7th, which he had not done all game. No point dwelling on the "what-ifs" though, and as Michael Kay would say, "That's the fallacy of the predetermined outcome."

Pettitte eventually lost his shutout in the eighth after Melvin Mora launched a solo home run to left-center field. The Yankees handed the ball over to Brian Bruney in the 9th, who put two runners on base before handing it over to Mariano Rivera to close the game out.

Offensively, the Yankees were led by Nick Swisher, who was 3-for-4 including a home run and 2 RBI on the night. Swisher has now homered 12 times in 80 career at-bats in Camden Yards.

A.J. Burnett will get the ball tomorrow night and he'll be up against David Hernandez as the series resumes at 7:05 ET.

Recap records: Seamus: 38–22, Patrick: 35–16, Andrew: 10–10