Danny Valencia hits go-ahead homer as O's take Game 1 (with quotes)

If you're going to end a slump, hitting a go-ahead three-run home run is a good way to do it. Danny Valencia did that in the last of the sixth today, leading the Orioles past CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. The Orioles took Game 1 of the doubleheader 5-4.

They improved to 25-65 in ending a six-game losing streak and winning for just the third time in their past 20 home games. The Orioles are 4-3 against the Yankees, who fall to 58-30.

Valencia was in an 0-for-25 rut when he stood in to bat with two on in that inning. Mark Trumbo led off with a walk and moved to third on Jonathan Schoop's second hit of the day, a double. On his 99th pitch of the afternoon Sabathia left a slider where Valencia could mash it and he did for a 5-4 lead. It was his ninth homer and traveled 415 feet to center.

Earlier, the Yankees had taken a 3-0 lead on O's right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis, who was making his second career start. Giancarlo Stanton hit his 22nd homer leading off the second for a 1-0 lead. An inning later RBI singles by Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorius extended the lead.

Sabathia went through the first three innings without incident. But Manny Machado doubled in the fourth ahead of a Trumbo two-run homer that pulled the Orioles within 3-2. It was No. 12 for Trumbo on a 1-1 cutter and he blasted the homer to left-center. It's his ninth home run over his last 21 games.

New York added to the lead making it 4-2 in the top of the sixth off Mike Wright Jr. Stanton led off with a single, moved to second on a grounder and scored on Neil Walker's RBI hit to center. But Wright fanned four over two innings and got the win to improve to 2-0. Mychal Givens pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Zach Britton got his second save in the ninth. He stranded the tying run on third with one out.

Yacabonis went five innings in a no-decision and gave up six hits and three runs with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 71 pitches, 44 for strikes. Sabathia took the loss and is 6-4 with an ERA of 3.34. He allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings and is winless over his last nine starts versus the Orioles since June 5, 2016.

The Orioles improved to 13-29 at home, 6-15 in one-run games and to 10-23 against the American League East. In the second game coming up shortly, Orioles right-hander Yefry Ramírez (0-2, 2.51 ERA) pitches against right-hander Luis Cessa (0-1, 5.00 ERA).

Postgame quotes:

Yacabonis enjoying new role as starter: "It is a little different. It is definitely teaching me how to become a better pitcher and developing my secondary pitches for sure. And kind of keeping everything under control when things don't really go my way. It's teaching me how to pitch, so I'm enjoying it."

Yacabonis said you change your approach to hitters when starting: "For sure. As a starter, I try to be more broader with the strike zone, kind of if that makes sense. Kind of just try to attack the strike zone more rather than coming in from the bullpen and trying to be fine, make the perfect pitch. Doesn't necessarily happen all the time. As a starter, it's definitely bigger strike zone. Attack, attack, attack. More of an attack mindset."

Valencia on breaking slump with a homer: "Yeah, it's been tough. There is no hiding that. Had some tough luck. Facing good pitching and had some bad approaches the last week. To break out of there and come through big with a home run to put the team ahead feels nice. Can't deny that.

"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We have family that is always chirping in our ears. Friends asking us what's wrong. I've been in this game long enough to know if you stick with your routine and stay positive that it tends to turn. It felt good. It's been weighing on me."

Valencia on approach in that at-bat: "I was just trying to hit the ball in the air. I was trying to hit a sac fly."