The Baltimore Orioles registered victory over the New York Yankees 3-2 in Monday's game, leveling the 5-game playoff series 1-1. The Yankees had defeated them in the first game and were looking to extend their lead, but the Orioles demonstrated a better performance.
The Yankees have plenty of postseason experience but Wei Yin Chen, the Orioles rookie, led the way out-pitching Andy Pettitte - a three-time All-Star. Experience alone does not seem to help.
Chen, who is just 27, altered the speed on his pitches very effectively, keeping the Yankees guessing throughout.
"His fastball, it seems to get on hitters quicker than what the speed indicates, and that's one of his strengths. He threw some good off‑speed pitches when he was behind in the count, as well," Joe Girardi, the Yankees' manager, said.
The Orioles had lost 7-2 to the Yankees in the opening game of the-best-of-five games series.
Chris Davis made a vital contribution by driving two runs for Baltimore. Jim Johnson did a pretty impressive job too, pitching a perfect ninth to close it out.
''It's real easy, like I said last night, to trust Jim Johnson. He's done it a few times for us. He's having a special year, a special year,'' Buck Showalter, the Orioles' manager said.
The clubhouse looked jubilant after the victory. Peter Angelos, owner of the Orioles', shook hands with almost every player, commending their efforts.
''It is great that he was in here. Obviously it meant a lot to him as much as it did us and the fans. He doesn't come in here a lot. He takes care of business up there and we take care of it on the field. Hopefully, the next time I see him he will be holding a trophy,'' Adam Jones, the outfielder said.
The Orioles know that they're heading to New York to play the Yankees for the remaining three games of the best-of-five series. They're pretty confident, though, as they have won all three series at the Yankee Stadium this year.
Davis said, ''You definitely don't want to go into New York in a five-game series down two games. This is big - having the day off tomorrow, hopefully building some momentum, and we can take that into New York."
Davis also praised Chen's efforts, emphasizing his contribution in their emphatic win over the Yankees.
He said, ''Chen did a good job of keeping us in the game. To hold that offense to two runs is saying something, and we were able to get timely hits when we needed it.''
In the next game coming up Wednesday, Hiroki Kuroda will start for the Yankees against Miguel Gonzalez, the Orioles' rookie. Both teams are gearing up for the final three games and it promises to be an intensely-fought playoff series.
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