Cruz hits 40th home run (O's win 5-4)

NEW YORK - Remember when Nelson Cruz stayed on the free-agent market into spring training and it seemed as though nobody wanted him? Remember when fans and media debated whether the Orioles should sign Cruz or Kendrys Morales? Has it really been seven months? Cruz just hit his 40th home run leading off the top of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 5-1 lead over the Yankees. Cruz becomes the sixth Oriole to hit 40 or more home runs in a season, joining Chris Davis (53 in 2013), Brady Anderson (50 in 1996), Frank Robinson (49 in 1966), Jim Gentile (46 in 1961) and Rafael Palmeiro (43 in 1998). Cruz is only the second right-handed batter. Cruz, named Most Valuable Oriole by media covering the team, also has 107 RBIs this season. He's quite a bargain at $8 million. Brandon McCarthy had allowed four earned runs or fewer in all seven career starts against the Orioles before tonight. The Orioles are 77-31 when they homer and 25-0 when they hit three or more. They're 73-14 when scoring four or more runs, including 33-1 since July 19 and 41-2 since June 30. Ubaldo Jimenez allowed his first hit tonight in the fourth inning on Mark Teixeira's double that followed a one-out walk to Chase Headley, who scored on Chris Young's bouncer to third. Update: Jimenez was charged with two runs and three hits in five-plus innings, with three walks and three strikeouts. He threw 91 pitches, 53 for strikes. An inherited runner scored after Brad Brach replaced Jimenez in the sixth. Jimenez has allowed four runs in 10 innings in two starts since rejoining the rotation. Update: Brian McCann hit a two-out, two-run homer off Andrew Miller in the seventh to reduce the Orioles' lead to 5-4. McCann replaced Darren O'Day after Derek Jeter reached on an infield hit. McCann is 4-for-11 against Miller. Miller struck out Chase Headley, who was 5-for-6 against him. Update II: Game over. The Orioles defeat the Yankees 5-4 to even the series with two games remaining. Zach Britton picked up his 36th save. Jimenez improved to 6-9 with a 4.85 ERA. Britton struck out Derek Jeter on three pitches to end the game after Brett Gardner reached on an infield hit with two outs. The Orioles are 94-63 overall, 45-26 against the American League East and 31-22 in one-run games. The Orioles are 9-2 after being shut out the previous game.