(Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE)
The Yankees of New York got All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez back, but their struggles continue, as they have just lost their third game in a row, and second to the Tampa Bay Rays. The woes for the Yankees get worse as after losing 7 of their last 10, the Bombers are tied for first place with the surprise Orioles who pounded the Blue Jays tonight 12-0.
The loss of sole possession of first is the latest in what has been a terrible month thus far for New York. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead against the Rays on Tuesday, Evan Longoria blasted a two-run shot that gave the Rays a 3-2 lead and total momentum in the game. The Yankees seemed sluggish after that, and that’s been a theme in games lately that they’ve fallen behind in.
As for the Orioles, the new logo seems to be paying off. In an effort to move away from the past, Baltimore updated (well actually went retro) with their logo and the team is an all new ball club. Led by superstar center fielder Adam Jones, the Orioles have burst onto the scene and in a down year for the Red Sox, have come toe-o-toe with the Bronx Bombers and are threatening to take the A.L. East lead for the first time in a long time.
In fact, the last time the Orioles were simply tied for the A.L. East lead was way back in 1997 when a guy they call Ripken was still on the roster.
Baltimore’s record of 76-59 is good for the fifth best in all of baseball and is currently good enough to at least get them a shot at a wild card spot. With Orioles hot and the Yankees looking ice cold, the four-game series the two play starting on Thursday will be one to seriously watch closely.
Come the end of the first week of football, Baltimore may just be raving about the Orioles over the Ravens, as the O’s may be the only first place team in town.
