Another lead slips away

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

September 07, 2011, 10:49am

Comments

Zach Britton couldn't hold a 4-2 lead, allowing two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning after a four-pitch leadoff walk to Alex Rodriguez. Nothing good happens after...well, you know. Britton hadn't surrendered a hit since the first inning, but Andruw Jones doubled to move Rodriguez to third and Jesus Montero followed with a two-run single off the right field fence. The Orioles have seen enough of Montero. Big-time prospect with impressive opposite-field power. We get it. Britton had allowed three earned runs in 18 innings in his first three starts after coming off the disabled list, but the Yankees have reached him for four today. Britton has walked two batters, raising his total to 10 in his last 23 innings. Shortstop Eduardo Nunez just committed the Yankees second error of the day. He also let a pop up drop next to the mound for a gift single in the fourth. I never thought I'd say this, but the Yankees miss Derek Jeter. A.J. Burnett has three wild pitches, raising his total to 23, but he's also struck out Chris Davis three times.