O's offense breaks out big in 14-5 rout of the Yankees

The Orioles began today with a team batting average of .231 and just 22 runs scored over their first seven games. But their offense broke out in a big way this afternoon, as the Orioles routed the Yankees 14-5 to even this series at a win each. The Orioles had hit just three homers on the season until Adam Jones, Delmon Young and Matt Wieters connected for two-run homers today. The O's 14 runs and 20 hits were easily season highs, topping the previous bests of six runs and 10 hits. This is the first time the Orioles had 20 or more hits since May 10, 2011. The bottom three in the order - Steve Lombardozzi, Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop - went a combined 8-for-15 with four runs scored and two RBIs. Flaherty went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs after beginning the season 1-for-21. Eight Orioles drove in runs. Young had a three-hit, three-RBI day, while Wieters also drove in three. Chris Davis and Jones drove in two each. Davis and Jones had a combined five RBIs before today. Wei-Yin Chen was staked to an early 7-1 lead as the Orioles scored three in the first, one in the second and three in the fourth. But Chen pitched just five innings, throwing 102 pitches as he allowed nine hits and four runs to get the win. Over two starts, Chen has allowed 21 hits and eight runs for an ERA of 6.75. Opposing hitters are batting .412 against him on the season. The Orioles roughed up Ivan Nova, who went 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA against them last season. He gave up seven runs and 10 hits over 3 2/3 innings today. Reliever Vidal Nuno gave up seven runs over 3 1/3 frames. In the series finale on Wednesday night, Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 18.90 ERA) faces right-hander Masahiro Tanaka (1-0, 2.57 ERA).