Had the three-game sweep occurred, it would have been the Yankees’ first of the season and a sure-fire confidence shaker for the team with the best record in the majors as they get ready for an all-out battle against the Tampa Bay Rays next week. N.Y. was swept in a two-game series earlier this year by the Rays May 19–20.
It would have also been the Orioles’ first three-game sweep in the Bronx since 1986. But Swisher wasn’t going to let that happen. Not at Yankees Stadium.
The slugger—who has struggled with a bicep injury this season—hit a two-run homer off Orioles closer Koji Uehara in the bottom of the ninth with one out to lift the Yanks to the one-run win. Alex Rodriguez had previously hit a single and was replaced by pinch runner Eduardo Nunez on first.
“I guess it’s my day,” Swisher told the Associated Press. “It’s a monster win for us.”
The much-needed win came after a brief scare for the Yankees, however. Veteran catcher Jorge Posada—an anchor for the team—had to sit out on Wednesday after developing signs of a concussion after being hit by a foul ball on Tuesday.
{etRelated42272, 42111}“Obviously, it’s a concern,” Swisher had commented on Posada’s absence.
But tests later revealed that Posada didn’t have a concussion and he is now listed as day-to-day and expected to join the Yankees on the road against the Texas Rangers this weekend.
Curtis Granderson scored New York’s first run on Wednesday off a line drive double to left field by Brett Gardner.
But Baltimore answered with a two-run homer by Matt Wieters in the fifth inning to go up 2–1.
Yankees rookie pitcher Ivan Nova delivered 96 pitches and 6 strikeouts, giving up 6 hits in 6 innings of work.
Brad Bergesen started for the Orioles and pitched for 6.1 innings, delivering 101 pitches and 5 strikeouts while giving up 4 hits.
Closer Joba Chamberlain (3–4) got the win while Uehara (1–1) took the loss.
The Yankees hold a 2.5-game lead over the Rays.
