Post-game Notes: O's fall again to NYY

O's starting pitcher Rich Hill struggled again. He pitched just three innings and falls to 3-3, 7.64 on the year. In three frames, he allowed three hits, five runs (all earned) with four walks and two strikeouts. He threw 82 pitches. Hill has lasted less than five innings in seven of his 12 starts. He has just three quality starts. Over his last five starts, his ERA is 9.82 (22IP, 35H, 24ER). The O's have out-hit their opponent on every game of this road trip, but fall to 1-4 on the trip. NY starter Sergio Mitre won his Yankees' debut, as he gave up four runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. Mariano Rivera needed just 10 pitches in the 9th to record his 27th save of the year. He has now saved 23 in a row for NY and has posted a save in ten of New York's last 14 wins. He now has 509 career saves. Brian Roberts continued his recent hot hitting with a 3 for 4 night that included a double, two runs and his 20th stolen base. Roberts now has a seven-game batting streak. During the streak he is 13 for 30 (.433) with four doubles. The seven-game streak ties his season best. Roberts now has 16 doubles in his last 35 games. Nick Markakis went 3 for 4 with a run and RBI. Over his last eight games, Markakis is 12 for 34 (.353) with four doubles and 5 RBI. The O's began tonight tied with Tampa with 20 outfield assists for the AL lead. They added two tonight with Markakis picking up his 10th and Adam Jones his 6th. Markakis takes over the AL lead with 10 assists. Cesar Izturis went hitless tonight, ending his five-game batting streak. Luke Scott went 0 for 4 and is 1-16 on this road trip. Nolan Reimold went hitless and is batting .167 (9 for 54) over his last 14 games. The Yankees have won the first two games of this series with a total of ten hits. The O's have lost four of five, 10 of 16 and 12 of 19 games. The O's fall to 21-21 in games decided by two runs or less. The Birds are 15-31 this year on the road. They are 1-13 on the season on the road vs. the AL East and are just 2-24 in their last 26 AL East road contests. New York's win tonight coupled with Boston's loss put the Yankees in first place by one game over Boston atop the division. NY has won five in a row, 8 of 11 and 18 of its last 23 games. New York, now 14-5 in July, has won seven of its last eight series. The Yankees have won nine in a row at home vs. Baltimore.