BALTIMORE – The New York Yankees made it easy for CC Sabathia to cruise to another win over the Baltimore Orioles.

After the Yankees took control with a five-run first, Sabathia scattered seven hits over eight shutout innings in a 13-2 victory Thursday night.

In Sabathia’s earlier outing against Baltimore this year, New York scored 15 runs. In this one, the Yankees gave him a five-run cushion before he threw his first pitch.

“It calms you down a little bit,” Sabathia said. “I’ll take it every time. I try to do my part, and these guys swing the bat. We’ve got a great lineup. It’s happening all year.”

Mark Teixeira and Eduardo Nunez homered for the Yankees, whose 14 hits included three doubles, three triples and a pair of home runs.

Nick Swisher doubled in three runs in the first inning and added an RBI single in the fifth. Jorge Posada, starting at first base for the first time since 2008, walked twice and had a run-scoring double.

New York completed a two-game sweep and improved to 6-0 against Baltimore. The Yankees have matched a season high with three straight wins after a six-game skid.

Sabathia (4-3) struck out nine, walked none and permitted only two runners to reach third base. The left-hander is 2-0 against the Orioles this season, 16-2 lifetime and 10-1 at Camden Yards.

“We got the quick five runs,” manager Joe Girardi noted. “We needed to give the bullpen the night off — and that’s what CC did for us.”

Amaury Sanit gave up two runs in the ninth.

Brad Bergesen (1-5) allowed eight runs and five hits in 3 1-3 innings for the Orioles. He’s 0-4 with a 9.25 ERA in five career starts against New York.

“He was missing in the places he was trying to go with his fastball,” manager Buck Showalter said. “Didn’t give himself a chance to have much to defend himself with.”

Bergesen didn’t offer a defense for himself when asked about New York’s five-run first.

“It was everything tonight. Just all around, just bad,” he said. “Putting us in a 5-0 hole just made it real tough for us tonight. Just nothing good for me tonight, whatsoever.”

After Derek Jeter led off with a double and scored on a triple by Curtis Granderson, Teixeira hit a run-scoring groundout. Two outs later, Bergesen hit Robinson Cano with a pitch above the knee, and Cano wore a look of disgust as he walked to first base.

It was the second time in two innings that a Baltimore pitcher plunked a Yankees batter. In the 15th inning Wednesday night, Chris Dickerson was struck in the head by a fastball from Mike Gonzalez.

After hitting Cano, Bergesen issued two straight walks before Swisher cleared the bases with a liner that left fielder Felix Pie got a glove on but couldn’t hold.

In the bottom half, Sabathia got two quick outs before hitting Nick Markakis in the back with a pitch. Home plate umpire Larry Vanover promptly warned both sides that the next pitcher to throw at a batter would be ejected.

Vladimir Guerrero followed with a single to put runners on the corners, but Sabathia got Adam Jones to hit into a fielder’s choice.

New York used a four-run fourth to make it 9-0. Swisher walked before Brett Gardner and Jeter hit successive triples to chase Bergesen. One out later, Teixeira hit a towering two-run homer off Chris Jakubauskas.

Nunez homered for the first time this season in the ninth with a man on against Troy Patton.

NOTES: The start of the game was delayed by rain for 48 minutes. … Dickerson was rested Thursday but hoped to play Friday against the Mets. He had a headache and said a CT scan revealed a concussion. … Jakubauskas and Patton were recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before the game. The moves coincided with Derrek Lee (oblique) and Brian Roberts (concussion) being placed on the disabled list. After the game, the Orioles optioned Jakubauskas back to Norfolk. … Cano has an 18-game hitting streak against Baltimore.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Brad Bergesen was told by his teammates to just have some fun, and the result was his best performance of the season.

Bergesen tossed a four-hitter for his first major league shutout, Jake Fox hit a two-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles beat the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 yesterday.

“To be able to shut them out in their building, it’s pretty impressive on Brad’s part,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Bergesen (1-4) picked up his first victory since last Sept. 21 at Boston. The right-hander entered 0-5 with a 9.13 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay.

“Let’s just go out and have a good time, and you saw it,” said Fox, who caught Bergesen. “He pitched relaxed. He was throwing the ball well. He was hitting spots. You could tell on his face he was having fun today.”

Baltimore took a 4-0 lead when Fox hit a two-run shot in the sixth off Wade Davis (4-3).

Mark Reynolds also homered for Baltimore, which improved to 18-20 this year. The Orioles didn’t reach 18 victories last season until June 15, when their record was 18-47.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Fox said.

The Rays were held hitless after Sam Fuld’s one-out single during the third. Bergesen retired 20 of his final 22 batters.

“It’s a funny game,” Bergesen said. “It’s just small, small adjustments. I’m throwing strikes, but my misses are missing in the zone. So today I really wanted to focus on making my pitches. If I was going to miss, I was going to miss off the plate or down.”

Baltimore recorded consecutive complete games – Jeremy Guthrie went the distance in Friday night’s 3-0 loss to the Rays – for the first time since Sidney Ponson and Rodrigo Lopez did so July 10 and 11, 2003, respectively

Tampa Bay had runners on first and third with one out in the first, but Bergesen got out of trouble by getting a double-play grounder from Evan Longoria. The Rays had a runner reach third in each of the first three innings, but failed to capitalize.

“It just didn’t work out for us,” Rays center fielder B.J. Upton said.

Reynolds made it 2-0 with a solo homer in the fifth, but Baltimore missed out on a chance for a big inning when Luke Scott lined out to right with the bases loaded and two outs.

Vladimir Guerrero put Baltimore up 1-0 on a first-inning RBI double. After Adam Jones hit a run-scoring single in the seventh, Derrek Lee extended the Orioles’ advantage to 6-0 when he drove in a run with a double one inning later.

Davis gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander had gone 4-0 over his previous five starts, however it was the third straight outing that he has surpassed 100 pitches in six innings or less.

“He threw 106 pitches today, and that’s got to go away,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Overall, he’s just coming off some pitches. The results haven’t been horrible to this point, but it’s just his fastball command is the issue to me. We’ve got to get him more pitch efficient and better fastball command.”

Baltimore leadoff hitter Brian Roberts, mired in a 2-for-35 slide, had two hits in five at-bats. Showalter hasn’t considered taking Roberts out of the top spot, saying before the game that the second baseman is the best option and will continue to hit there.

NOTES: Rays RF Matt Joyce left with cramping in his right quadriceps. Maddon said Joyce was OK. … Upton was back in the lineup after a two-game suspension for his tirade after he was ejected May 4. … Baltimore RHP Justin Duchscherer (strained left hip) is expected to throw three innings at extended spring training in four or five days. He had a two-inning outing on Friday. …Maddon said DH Johnny Damon will play in the outfield once during a three-game interleague series next weekend at Florida. … Orioles C Matt Wieters was rested.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Brad Bergesen was told by his teammates to just have some fun, and the result was his best performance of the season.

Bergesen tossed a four-hitter for his first major league shutout, Jake Fox hit a two-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles beat the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 yesterday.

“To be able to shut them out in their building, it’s pretty impressive on Brad’s part,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Bergesen (1-4) picked up his first victory since last Sept. 21 at Boston. The right-hander entered 0-5 with a 9.13 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay.

“Let’s just go out and have a good time, and you saw it,” said Fox, who caught Bergesen. “He pitched relaxed. He was throwing the ball well. He was hitting spots. You could tell on his face he was having fun today.”

Baltimore took a 4-0 lead when Fox hit a two-run shot in the sixth off Wade Davis (4-3).

Mark Reynolds also homered for Baltimore, which improved to 18-20 this year. The Orioles didn’t reach 18 victories last season until June 15, when their record was 18-47.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Fox said.

The Rays were held hitless after Sam Fuld’s one-out single during the third. Bergesen retired 20 of his final 22 batters.

“It’s a funny game,” Bergesen said. “It’s just small, small adjustments. I’m throwing strikes, but my misses are missing in the zone. So today I really wanted to focus on making my pitches. If I was going to miss, I was going to miss off the plate or down.”

Baltimore recorded consecutive complete games – Jeremy Guthrie went the distance in Friday night’s 3-0 loss to the Rays – for the first time since Sidney Ponson and Rodrigo Lopez did so July 10 and 11, 2003, respectively

Tampa Bay had runners on first and third with one out in the first, but Bergesen got out of trouble by getting a double-play grounder from Evan Longoria. The Rays had a runner reach third in each of the first three innings, but failed to capitalize.

“It just didn’t work out for us,” Rays center fielder B.J. Upton said.

Reynolds made it 2-0 with a solo homer in the fifth, but Baltimore missed out on a chance for a big inning when Luke Scott lined out to right with the bases loaded and two outs.

Vladimir Guerrero put Baltimore up 1-0 on a first-inning RBI double. After Adam Jones hit a run-scoring single in the seventh, Derrek Lee extended the Orioles’ advantage to 6-0 when he drove in a run with a double one inning later.

Davis gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander had gone 4-0 over his previous five starts, however it was the third straight outing that he has surpassed 100 pitches in six innings or less.

“He threw 106 pitches today, and that’s got to go away,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Overall, he’s just coming off some pitches. The results haven’t been horrible to this point, but it’s just his fastball command is the issue to me. We’ve got to get him more pitch efficient and better fastball command.”

Baltimore leadoff hitter Brian Roberts, mired in a 2-for-35 slide, had two hits in five at-bats. Showalter hasn’t considered taking Roberts out of the top spot, saying before the game that the second baseman is the best option and will continue to hit there.

NOTES: Rays RF Matt Joyce left with cramping in his right quadriceps. Maddon said Joyce was OK. … Upton was back in the lineup after a two-game suspension for his tirade after he was ejected May 4. … Baltimore RHP Justin Duchscherer (strained left hip) is expected to throw three innings at extended spring training in four or five days. He had a two-inning outing on Friday. …Maddon said DH Johnny Damon will play in the outfield once during a three-game interleague series next weekend at Florida. … Orioles C Matt Wieters was rested.

By: AP Photo/Mike Carlson

Baltimore Orioles’ Adam Jones (10) congratulates Jake Fox (9) after his two-run home run in the sixth inning scored both as Tampa Bay Rays catcher John Jaso, looks on in a baseball game Saturday, May 14, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Wade Davis’ high pitch count was a focal point, again.
Brad Bergesen tossed a four-hitter for his first major league shutout, Jake Fox hit a two-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 on Saturday.
Davis (4-3) gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. Although the right-hander had gone 4-0 over his previous five starts, this was the third straight outing he has thrown 100 or more pitches in six innings or less.
“He threw 106 pitches today, and that’s got to go away,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Overall, he’s just coming off some pitches. The results haven’t been horrible to this point, but it’s just his fastball command is the issue to me. We’ve got to get him more pitch efficient and better fastball command.”
Davis doesn’t feel there’s a major problem.
“I made some mistakes and they capitalized on them,” he said.
One errant pitch by Davis was more than enough against Bergesen, who silenced the Tampa Bay bats.
“Lots of ground balls, kept the ball down in the zone,” Maddon said of the Orioles’ starter. “We just kept pounding ball into the dirt. A lot of quick outs.”
Bergesen (1-4) picked up his first victory since last Sept. 21 at Boston. The right-hander entered 0-5 with a 9.13 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay.
“To be able to shut them out in their building, it’s pretty impressive on Brad’s part,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.
Tampa Bay right fielder Matt Joyce, who is hitting .360, left with cramping in his right quadriceps. Maddon said the outfielder is OK.
The Rays have not scored more than five runs in 21 home games this season. Since 1900 only two teams, the 1908 Brooklyn Superbas (26 games) and 1907 St. Louis Cardinals (22 games), have had longer stretches.
Baltimore took a 4-0 lead when Fox hit a two-run shot in the sixth off Davis. Mark Reynolds also homered for Baltimore, which improved to 18-20 this year. The Orioles didn’t reach 18 victories last season until June 15, when their record was 18-47.
The Rays were held hitless after Sam Fuld’s one-out single during the third. Bergesen retired 20 of his final 22 batters.
Tampa Bay had runners on first and third with one out during the first, but Bergesen got out of trouble by getting a double-play grounder from Evan Longoria. The Rays had a runner reach third in each of the first three innings, but failed to capitalize.
“First inning (double play) was a big play,” Maddon said.
Reynolds made it 2-0 with a solo homer in the fifth, but Baltimore missed out on a chance for a big inning when Luke Scott lined out to right with the bases loaded and two outs.
Vladimir Guerrero put Baltimore up 1-0 on a first-inning RBI double. After Adam Jones hit a run-scoring single in the seventh, Derrek Lee extended the Orioles’ advantage to 6-0 when he drove in a run with a double one inning later.
NOTES: Rays CF B.J. Upton was back in the lineup after a two-game suspension for his tirade after he was ejected May 4. … Tampa Bay is 0-12 on May 14. … Maddon said DH Johnny Damon will play in the outfield once during a three-game interleague series next weekend at Florida. … Orioles C Matt Wieters was rested.

CBSSports.com wire reports
May 14, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Brad Bergesen was told by his teammates to just have some fun, and the result was his best performance of the season.

Bergesen tossed a four-hitter for his first major league shutout, Jake Fox hit a two-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles beat the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 on Saturday.

“To be able to shut them out in their building, it’s pretty impressive on Brad’s part,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Bergesen (1-4) picked up his first victory since last Sept. 21 at Boston. The right-hander entered 0-5 with a 9.13 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay.

“Let’s just go out and have a good time, and you saw it,” said Fox, who caught Bergesen. “He pitched relaxed. He was throwing the ball well. He was hitting spots. You could tell on his face he was having fun today.”

Baltimore took a 4-0 lead when Fox hit a two-run shot in the sixth off Wade Davis (4-3).

Mark Reynolds also homered for Baltimore, which improved to 18-20 this year. The Orioles didn’t reach 18 victories last season until June 15, when their record was 18-47.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Fox said.

The Rays were held hitless after Sam Fuld’s one-out single during the third. Bergesen retired 20 of his final 22 batters.

“It’s a funny game,” Bergesen said. “It’s just small, small adjustments. I’m throwing strikes, but my misses are missing in the zone. So today I really wanted to focus on making my pitches. If I was going to miss, I was going to miss off the plate or down.”

Baltimore recorded consecutive complete games — Jeremy Guthrie went the distance in Friday night’s 3-0 loss to the Rays — for the first time since Sidney Ponson and Rodrigo Lopez did so July 10 and 11, 2003, respectively

Tampa Bay had runners on first and third with one out in the first, but Bergesen got out of trouble by getting a double-play grounder from Evan Longoria. The Rays had a runner reach third in each of the first three innings, but failed to capitalize.

“It just didn’t work out for us,” Rays center fielder B.J. Upton said.

Reynolds made it 2-0 with a solo homer in the fifth, but Baltimore missed out on a chance for a big inning when Luke Scott lined out to right with the bases loaded and two outs.

Vladimir Guerrero put Baltimore up 1-0 on a first-inning RBI double. After Adam Jones hit a run-scoring single in the seventh, Derrek Lee extended the Orioles’ advantage to 6-0 when he drove in a run with a double one inning later.

Davis gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander had gone 4-0 over his previous five starts, however it was the third straight outing that he has surpassed 100 pitches in six innings or less.

“He threw 106 pitches today, and that’s got to go away,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Overall, he’s just coming off some pitches. The results haven’t been horrible to this point, but it’s just his fastball command is the issue to me. We’ve got to get him more pitch efficient and better fastball command.”

Baltimore leadoff hitter Brian Roberts, mired in a 2-for-35 slide, had two hits in five at-bats. Showalter hasn’t considered taking Roberts out of the top spot, saying before the game that the second baseman is the best option and will continue to hit there.

Notes

• Tampa Bay CF B.J. Upton was back in the lineup after a two-game suspension for his tirade after he was ejected May 4.
• Baltimore RHP Justin Duchscherer (strained left hip) is expected to throw three innings at extended spring training in four or five days. He had a two-inning outing on Friday.
• Rays manager Joe Maddon said DH Johnny Damon will play in the outfield once during a three-game interleague series next weekend at Florida.
• Orioles C Matt Wieters was rested.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brad Bergesen was told by his teammates to just have some fun, and the result was his best performance
of the season.

Bergesen tossed a four-hitter for his first major league shutout, Jake Fox hit a two-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles beat
the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 on Saturday.

“To be able to shut them out in their building, it’s pretty impressive on Brad’s part,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Bergesen (1-4) picked up his first victory since last Sept. 21 at Boston. The right-hander entered 0-5 with a 9.13 ERA in
five career starts against Tampa Bay.

“Let’s just go out and have a good time, and you saw it,” said Fox, who caught Bergesen. “He pitched relaxed. He was throwing
the ball well. He was hitting spots. You could tell on his face he was having fun today.”

Baltimore took a 4-0 lead when Fox hit a two-run shot in the sixth off Wade Davis (4-3).

Mark Reynolds also homered for Baltimore, which improved to 18-20 this year. The Orioles didn’t reach 18 victories last season
until June 15, when their record was 18-47.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Fox said.

The Rays were held hitless after Sam Fuld ‘s one-out single during the third. Bergesen retired 20 of his final 22 batters.

“It’s a funny game,” Bergesen said. “It’s just small, small adjustments. I’m throwing strikes, but my misses are missing in
the zone. So today I really wanted to focus on making my pitches. If I was going to miss, I was going to miss off the plate
or down.”

Baltimore recorded consecutive complete games – Jeremy Guthrie went the distance in Friday night’s 3-0 loss to the Rays -
for the first time since Sidney Ponson and Rodrigo Lopez did so July 10 and 11, 2003, respectively

Tampa Bay had runners on first and third with one out in the first, but Bergesen got out of trouble by getting a double-play
grounder from Evan Longoria . The Rays had a runner reach third in each of the first three innings, but failed to capitalize.

“It just didn’t work out for us,” Rays center fielder B.J. Upton said.

Reynolds made it 2-0 with a solo homer in the fifth, but Baltimore missed out on a chance for a big inning when Luke Scott
lined out to right with the bases loaded and two outs.

Vladimir Guerrero put Baltimore up 1-0 on a first-inning RBI double. After Adam Jones hit a run-scoring single in the seventh,
Derrek Lee extended the Orioles’ advantage to 6-0 when he drove in a run with a double one inning later.

Davis gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander had gone 4-0 over his previous five starts, however
it was the third straight outing that he has surpassed 100 pitches in six innings or less.

“He threw 106 pitches today, and that’s got to go away,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Overall, he’s just coming off some
pitches. The results haven’t been horrible to this point, but it’s just his fastball command is the issue to me. We’ve got
to get him more pitch efficient and better fastball command.”

Baltimore leadoff hitter Brian Roberts , mired in a 2-for-35 slide, had two hits in five at-bats. Showalter hasn’t considered
taking Roberts out of the top spot, saying before the game that the second baseman is the best option and will continue to
hit there.

NOTES: Rays RF Matt Joyce left with cramping in his right quadriceps. Maddon said Joyce was OK. … Upton was back in the
lineup after a two-game suspension for his tirade after he was ejected May 4. … Baltimore RHP Justin Duchscherer (strained
left hip) is expected to throw three innings at extended spring training in four or five days. He had a two-inning outing
on Friday. …Maddon said DH Johnny Damon will play in the outfield once during a three-game interleague series next weekend
at Florida. … Orioles C Matt Wieters was rested.

© 2011 STATS LLC