Another disappointing start for Ubaldo Jiménez (O's lose 12-4)

NEW YORK - Yankees starter Michael Pineda struck out the side today in the top of the first inning. Orioles starter Ubaldo Jiménez served up a leadoff home run to Brett Gardner.

And a tone was set.

Gardner added a three-run shot in the second inning and the Orioles are threatening to lose their first series of the season while trailing 7-0 in the fifth at Yankee Stadium.

Jiménez lasted only 3 1/3 innings for the second consecutive start and was charged with seven runs (six earned) and five hits, with three walks and four strikeouts. He threw 68 pitches, 38 for strikes.

Since his 7 2/3 scoreless innings in Cincinnati, Jiménez has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) in 6 2/3 innings. He isn't driving up the market in his free agent season.

Gardner was batting .188 with no home runs or RBIs before today. He was due.

Jiménez recovered after the leadoff shot to retire the next three batters, two on strikeouts, and complete the inning on only 11 pitches. But he threw 30 in the second while loading the bases and surrendering four runs.

Austin Romine lifted a sacrifice fly to right field after a single and back-to-back walks with one out. Gardner stepped to the plate and really had himself a day.

His first home run landed in the second deck in right field. He went to right-center in the second inning.

Jiménez became the third consecutive Orioles starter to allow two home runs to the same player. Tampa Bay's Tim Beckham homered twice off Dylan Bundy in Wednesday's series finale, and the Yankees' Aaron Judge took Kevin Gausman deep last night in back-to-back innings.

As if to show how easily he can get in and out of rhythm, Jiménez retired the side in order on only seven pitches in the third inning. He put two runners on base with one out in the fourth on a single and walk, the jam intensified when Aaron Judge stole third base and Greg Bird took second on catcher Caleb Joseph's throwing error, and Romine grounded a two-run single up the middle.

Manager Buck Showalter popped out of the dugout and called for left-hander Vidal Nuño, who retired the next two batters to limit the damage. Nuño is getting a do-over today after serving up Jacoby Ellsbury's grand slam last night.

The Orioles have four hits off Pineda, but they can't push across a run. Third baseman Chase Headley made a sensational diving catch to his right in the third inning with two runners on base to rob Manny Machado, who nearly took the cover off the ball.

Down on the farm, Single-A Frederick third baseman Jomar Reyes was placed on the disabled list with a broken pinky finger on his right hand, an injury that occurred after he punched a wall after an out. Surgery is a likely result of the incident.

Reyes, 20, was batting .321/.361/.436 in 21 games.

Update: The Orioles scored twice in the sixth on Headley's throwing error after Manny Machado doubled and Adam Warren's wild pitch with the bases loaded. Both runs were unearned.

Update II: Romine strikes again. His two-run shot off Nuño in the sixth increased the lead to 9-2.

Romine has five RBIs, equaling his total before the game.

Jayson Aquino replaced Nuño.

Update III: Nuño gave up three runs in the seventh, the last two on Judge's home run, and the Orioles trail 12-2.

Update IV: Joseph hit a two-run homer off Tommy Layne in the ninth inning, his first RBIs since Sept. 11, 2015, to complete the scoring in a 12-4 loss.