One run short: Orioles lose series finale to New York

The Orioles had a chance for a series victory over the New York Yankees tonight, but lost 3-2 to wrap up the rain-shortened, four-game series. New York took a 1-0 lead in the first on a Mark Teixeira RBI double and the lead grew to 3-0 in the fourth on Nick Swisher's two-run homer. It was his 21st of the year and sixth over the last seven games. O's starter Alfredo Simon took the loss, giving up four hits and three runs over seven innings. He tied his career-high, throwing 114 pitches. The Orioles got on the board when Mark Reynolds homered to left off Freddy Garcia in the fifth. That was his 31st home run of the year and extended his hitting streak to nine games. J.J. Hardy's solo homer in the eighth pulled the O's within a run. It was his 26th of the year to tie his career high, set in 2007 with Milwaukee. Garcia got the win, allowing just two hits and one run over six innings, throwing 88 pitches. He improved to 11-7 with an ERA of 3.09. Garcia is 4-0 with an ERA of 2.01 over his last five starts. The Yankees earned a four-game split of the series by winning the last two games. The Orioles were trying for their first home series win against New York since April 6-9, 2009 and first four-game series win against the Yankees since sweeping a five-game set in September of 1982. After winning over New York 12-5 on Friday night, the Orioles scored just seven runs in the series' final three games. The Orioles fall to 3-11 on the year against New York and they have lost 22 of the last 30 home games against the Yankees. This homestand continues on Tuesday night when the Orioles host Toronto and Jeremy Guthrie (6-16, 4.42) pitches against Brett Cecil (4-7, 4.42).