Orioles trying to get out second place and avoid sweep

NEW YORK - With a win this afternoon, the Yankees would complete their first four-game sweep of the Orioles since September 2005 in the Bronx.

They'd also be risking the stomach flu, but they seem willing to live dangerously.

In case you're a masochist and want another reminder, the Orioles are 3-for-33 with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break. Can't buy a hit. Broke from spending it all on Pepto.

First place was fun while it lasted - since June 5 - and the Orioles will try to scramble back into it today with their ace on the mound.

The good news is Chris Tillman is pitching. The bad news is Chris Tillman owns a career 4.87 ERA and 1.602 WHIP in 18 starts over 98 innings versus the Yankees and a 7.30 ERA and 2.027 WHIP in eight starts over 37 innings in the Bronx.

Tillman, searching for his 14th victory in 16 decisions, held the Yankees to one run and five hits over seven innings with nine strikeouts on May 3, but allowed five runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings on June 3. He made one start at Yankee Stadium last season and surrendered four runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Alex Rodriguez is 7-for-19 with five home runs and 10 RBIs versus Tillman, Mark Teixeira is 9-for-26 with two doubles and Didi Gregorius is 7-for-13 with three doubles and a triple.

CC Sabathia is 19-7 with a 3.28 ERA and 1.172 WHIP in 35 career starts against the Orioles spanning 239 innings. They have a history.

Sabathia has faced the Orioles twice this season and blanked them over 12 innings. Nolan Reimold, who walked and struck out twice last night, is 13-for-35 with two doubles, a triple and two home runs against Sabathia. Matt Wieters is 7-for-43 with two doubles, a home run and 11 strikeouts.

Wieters has a sore foot and may stay out of the lineup. Adam Jones insists that he's playing despite a back spasm last night. Chris Davis will attempt to play now that his strength slowly is returning and food is staying down. Manny Machado may not have gotten the bug out of his system in such a short amount of time.

Manager Buck Showalter would have to be tied up and dumped in the East River to keep him from returning to the stadium, and I'd still expect him to make it by the anthem.

He had no shot last night. The game flu by.

Is there a doctor in the house? If so, he's probably hunched over the toilet.