Vidal Nuno was bad but so was the Yankees' lineup.
Vidal Nuno struggled mightily in his start against the Orioles. He gave up three home runs in the 6.1 innings he pitched. But as bad as he was, the offense wasn't doing anything to keep it close. The pitching and the lineup struggled almost equally as the Orioles beat the Yankees 6-1.
The Orioles struck first in the top of the first inning. After getting two quick outs, Nuno got two strikes on Adam Jones before Jones hit a home run to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. A couple innings later, the Orioles added to that lead. After the teams traded scoreless innings, Jones led off the fourth by drawing a walk. Nelson Cruz then hit a two-run home run over the right field wall. That made it 3-0 Orioles.
In the bottom half of the fourth, the Yankees finally got on the board. With one out in the inning, Mark Teixeira hit a solo home run to make the score 3-1.
However, the very next inning, the Orioles extended their lead once again. Caleb Joseph reached after Teixeira couldn't pick Kelly Johnson's throw to first. Nick Markakis then grounded into a force out at second. Steve Pearce came up next and he took Nuno deep for another two-run home run, making it 5-1.
Nuno remained in the game until retiring the first hitter in the seventh. He went 6.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks. He was bad.
In the top of the eighth, J.J. Hardy led off the inning with a home run off Jose Ramirez, who had relieved Nuno. That made it 6-1 Orioles.
The Yankees threatened to cut into the Orioles' lead in the eighth, but would up stranding two runners. Ramirez would up finishing the game. He went 2.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk. He gave up the home run and also hit a batter. In the ninth inning, the Yankees couldn't get anything going and the Orioles closed out a 6-1 win. Not a fun game.
The Yankees and Orioles will finish up their series in the Bronx tomorrow at 2 eastern. Thankfully for the Yankees, it will be Tanaka Time as Masahiro Tanaka will get the start. Chris Tillman will pitch for the Orioles.