Punchless Yankees drop 2 to Orioles, 2-1 and 5-0

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Joe Girardi has endured all kinds of anguish this season, yet his latest disappointment was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

For the first time since Girardi became the manager of the Yankees, New York dropped both ends of a doubleheader Friday, losing twice to the Baltimore Orioles to fall five games off the pace in the hunt for the AL's final wild-card berth.

Bud Norris struck out 10 in seven innings as Baltimore won 5-0 to complete the sweep. In the first game of the day-night doubleheader, Jimmy Paredes hit a two-run double with two outs in the 11th inning for a 2-1 victory.

Since the start of the 2000 season, the Yankees have played 37 doubleheaders, including this one. The only other time they dropped both games was on Sept. 17, 2006, against Boston.

Four of New York's last five losses have been by two runs or fewer.

Girardi, who arrived in 2008, said, "A day like today is no fun. We were only three or four hits from winning eight out of 10. You get those hits and three or four pitches, as well, it makes a big difference."

Ah, but the Yankees scored only one run in 20 innings, and that's not going to mount to much against a team that's running away from the competition in the AL East.

"You have to score runs," Girardi said. "We're pretty beat up right now, but you have to keep fighting. It's that time of the season."

Orioles slugger Chris Davis began a 25-game suspension without pay for a positive test for an amphetamine. The suspension will cover the final 17 games of the regular season and run into the playoffs, or perhaps into 2015.

Undeterred, Baltimore extended its winning streak to a season-high six games, moved a season-best 29 games over .500 (88-59) and increased its lead over second-place Toronto in the AL East to 11 1/2 games. The Orioles lowered their magic number for clinching the division to five.

Norris (13-8) struck out 10 and walked two in improving to 3-0 against the Yankees this season. He outpitched Bryan Mitchell (0-1), who allowed two runs and six hits over five innings in his first big league start.

"I only gave up two runs, but I wish I could have done better," he said.

Baltimore took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning when Ryan Flaherty doubled in a run and scored on a triple by Alejandro De Aza. In the seventh, Delmon Young hit a two-run single off David Phelps following three straight walks.

That was enough to saddle the punchless Yankees with their 10th loss in 13 games against the Orioles this season.

In the opener, after Chris Young homered off Brad Brach (7-1) in the top of the 11th, Baltimore countered in the bottom half against Adam Warren (3-6).

Two walks sandwiched around a hit batter loaded the bases for Paredes, pinch hitting for Jonathan Schoop. He drove the first pitch into the right-field corner.

Brandon McCarthy blanked Baltimore on four hits over seven-plus innings in a duel with rookie Kevin Gausman, who allowed seven hits over seven innings.

The opener was a makeup of the rainout on Aug. 12.

The crowd was kept entertained by a series of fly-overs by the Blue Angels, who repeatedly circled the stadium while practicing for a ceremony at nearby Fort McHenry to mark the 200th anniversary of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

At one point, McCarthy paused briefly on the mound to check out the action.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter missed the opener after being struck in the left elbow with a pitch on Thursday night. He returned to play in the nightcap and went 0 for 4.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: 3B Chase Headley did not play after being hit in the jaw by a pitch against the Rays. He was to be examined by a neurologist Friday. Also, Phelps (elbow inflammation) was activated from the 15-day disabled list.

Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy returned to play in the opener after missing time with back spasms, but he sat out the nightcap.

UP NEXT

Miguel Gonzalez, who owns a 1.82 ERA over his last 10 starts, starts for the Orioles on Saturday against right-hander Shane Greene, who beat Baltimore on July 12.

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