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Derek Jeter can cement his New York Yankees legacy even further this evening when the Bronx Bombers open a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.
Jeter enters the contest tied atop the all-time Yankee hits list with the legendary Lou Gehrig with 2,721 after going 3-for-3 in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
"I was a Yankees fan growing up. Coming up through the organization I know a lot about the history," Jeter said. "[Gehrig is] probably one of the classiest people to ever play the game. To be alongside him, at least for a day, is quite an accomplishment."
Jeter should have no problem passing the Iron Horse this weekend, as his 267 hits against Baltimore are his most versus any opponent.
"He's tied now, so there's only one hit to worry about, and hopefully he'll get that Friday in his first at-bat and put it all behind him," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, alluding to Jeter's discomfort discussing personal achievements.
In Wednesday's win over Tampa Bay, Jorge Posada slugged a pinch-hit, three-run homer during a four-run eighth inning for the AL East-leading Yankees, who swept the four-game set with the Rays and won for the 12th time in their last 14 tries overall.
New York now leads the division by nine games over the Boston Red Sox.
Hoping to keep them rolling tonight will be left-hander Andy Pettitte, who has won his last four starts and five decisions. Pettitte's latest win came on Saturday in Toronto, as he allowed four runs and four hits in six innings to run his record to 13-6 to go along with a 4.10 earned run average.
Pettitte, who hasn't lost since getting beat by Oakland back on July 25, beat the O's the last time he faced them and is an impressive 26-6 lifetime against them with a 3.56 ERA in 39 games, 37 of which have been starts.
The Orioles will counter with rookie Chris Tillman, who is 1-3 with a 4.66 ERA. Tillman, though, lost his third straight decision last Friday against Texas, which battered him for five runs and seven hits in six innings.
Tillman has never faced the Yankees.
Baltimore created some history of its own on Wednesday, as second baseman Brian Roberts doubled in the fifth inning to become the fourth player in history to have three seasons with at least 50. Hall of Famers Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial are the others.
The Orioles, though, lost the game to Boston and has dropped six of their last eight games.
New York has had its way with the Orioles this season, winning 12 of the 15 meetings, including all six matchups contested in the Bronx, where the Yankees have won 10 straight against Baltimore.
Source: www.kansascity.com
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