September 29: Yankees vs Orioles

[riverside sluggers]

Bedard opposes Small in finale

New York (93-65) at Baltimore (71-87), 7:05 p.m. ET

 

In Thursday's series finale -- and home finale for the Orioles -- against the Yankees, left-hander Erik Bedard will finish what has undoubtedly been a disappointing season after such an impressive start. Since he began the year 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA, Bedard is 1-6 with a 5.01 ERA in 14 starts. He has not won a decision since beating the Devil Rays on Aug. 9, and he also has seven no-decisions in that span, a testament to his inability to pitch deep into games. Bedard's counterpart, journeyman Aaron Small, has been a wunderkind for the Yankees after being stuck in Triple-A Columbus for most of the season.

 

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Small, a 31-year-old with his sixth Major League team, is the fourth Yankee pitcher to begin his New York career with nine wins. He faced the Orioles on Sept. 20 and allowed four runs and 10 hits in five innings but earned his ninth win. The Orioles played well enough to win Wednesday against the Yankees, but they were unable to penetrate the New York bullpen and dropped a tough 2-1 decision as the Yankees forged a one-game lead in the American League East over Boston. The Orioles are 1-9 in this 11-game stretch against the Red Sox and Yankees.

 

The Orioles produced just five hits against right-hander Shawn Chacon and the New York bullpen and are hitting .270 as a club, tied for sixth in the American League. Also, the Orioles are just 11th in the AL in runs scored, which was a primary reason why they struggled in the second half. Miguel Tejada is two RBIs away from his sixth consecutive 100-RBI season.

 

Pitching matchup

BAL: LHP Erik Bedard

• 6-7, 3.74 ERA in 2005

• 0-0, 3.00 ERA vs. NYY in 2005

 

NYY: RHP Aaron Small

• 9-0, 3.25 ERA in 2005

• 1-0, 7.20 ERA vs. BAL in 2005

 

Player to watch

Veteran B.J. Surhoff could be playing his final game at Camden Yards as he remains non-committal about his future. Surhoff has four hits in six career at-bats against Small and is hitting .267 against righties this season.

 

Quick hits

The Orioles have not won a season series against the Yankees since 1997, and they have dropped 21 of the past 23 series against the Bombers. ... The Orioles also dropped to 12-25 in one-run games. ... Daniel Cabrera finished 6-8 with a 3.25 ERA in 18 starts at Camden Yards this season. ... With one home game left, the Orioles are expected to draw more than 2.6 million fans.

[riverside sluggers]

pitcher vs batter matchups

 

Aaron Small vs: (career against Orioles in 9 games a 2-0 record with a 6.57 ERA, career at Camdem Yards in 3 games a 1-0 record with a 3.00 ERA)

Bernie Castro, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Walk

Sal Fasano, 0 for 1

Jay Gibbons, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)

Chris Gomez, 1 for 4 (.250 avg) Double, 3 RBIs, 2 Walks

Javy Lpez, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Double

Eli Marrero, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) HR, 2 RBIs

Luis Matos, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg)

Melvin Mora, 0 for 2, Walk, K

David Newhan, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) Double, RBI

B.J. Surhoff, 4 for 6 (.667 avg) RBI

Miguel Tejada, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) K

 

Erik Bedard vs: (career against Yankees in 5 games a 1-2 record with a 4.87 ERA, career at Camdem Yards in 25 games a 6-9 record with a 4.09 ERA)

Mark Bellhorn, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) Walk, 3 Ks, SB

Robinson Cano, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) K

Bubba Crosby, 2 for 3 (.667 avg)

John Flaherty, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Double

Jason Giambi, 2 for 5 (.400 avg) Double, Walk, K

Derek Jeter, 3 for 11 (.375 avg) Triple, RBI, Walk, 3 Ks

Matt Lawton, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) K

Tino Martinez, 2 for 5 (.400 avg) HR, 3 RBIs, K

Hideki Matsui, 3 for 9 (.333 avg) RBI, 2 Walks, K, SB

Jorge Posada, 3 for 7 (.429 avg) Double, RBI, 2 Walks, K

Alex Rodriguez, 4 for 9 (.444 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks, 2 Ks, 2 SBs

Gary Sheffield, 1 for 7 (.143 avg) 2 RBIs, Walk

Ruben Sierra, 1 for 6 (.167 avg) 2 Ks

Bernie Williams, 2 for 11 (.182 avg) Double, RBI, K

[RedRuffing15]

Yankees MVP in my mind, Aaron Small, I bet, if not for him, like Tim Redding would have pitched those games, and woulda been 2-7 in thgem, he saved our season

 

10-0, wow, I hope so

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

My God, Jason Giambi just hit one on to Eutaw street. It one hopped the wearhouse.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

5-0 on an RBI single by Sheffield.

[26 to 6]

Good day so far in Yankee-land (with the exception of the whole Mike Stanton thing, but thats besides the point)

 

Hopefully Joe will finally pitch Mendoza with a big lead. He has had plenty of opprotunitites with huge leads to pitch Mendoza but hasnt, its always either Proctor or Embree that get the spot, lets hope tonight is different.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Good day so far in Yankee-land (with the exception of the whole Mike Stanton thing, but thats besides the point)

 

Hopefully Joe will finally pitch Mendoza with a big lead. He has had plenty of opprotunitites with huge leads to pitch Mendoza but hasnt, its always either Proctor or Embree that get the spot, lets hope tonight is different.

good point, we need to get him in a game.

[26 to 6]

I dont understand it. He was pitching great in Columbus, and could have been a sleeper for the postseason. He could have had a great September if we gave him the chance, but instead Proctor has gotten all of the innings. True, Ramiro didnt have a great game back in the begining of the month, when we actually pitched him for one game, but he at least deserved a shot...especially over Proctor.

[26 to 6]

with an 8-4 lead dont look for Mendoza in this one. I think we only see him again this year if we clinch, he could pitch a little in the remaining games.

[RedRuffing15]

10-0 for Small, who woulda known