Wilson vs. Sabathia tonight at Camden Yards

The Orioles are back in first place and they hold a 6 ½-game lead over the last-place Yankees in the American League East.

No one knows how long it's going to last. Just buckle up and enjoy the ride.

The Orioles have won six consecutive games against the Yankees dating back to Sept. 8, 2015, their longest streak since taking eight in a row from Sept. 19, 1996-Sept. 6, 1997.

The club record for most victories in a row against the Yankees is nine from Aug. 15, 1967-May 22, 1968.

Chris Tillman has struck out nine batters in back-to-back starts for the first time in his career, which is to be assumed because nine strikeouts are a career high. He's a tough act to follow with three consecutive quality starts.

Tyler Wilson is making his third start of the season and his second career appearance against the Yankees. He tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief on June 14, 2015 at Camden Yards.

The current group is 1-for-7 against him, with Chase Headley owning the only hit.

Wilson is 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.075 WHIP in five games this season, with six runs and 16 hits in 17 2/3 innings. He's walked three batters and struck out nine.

Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia would love to trade stats with him.

Sabathia is 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA and 1.688 in four starts, with 12 runs and 25 hits in 21 1/3 innings. He's walked 11 and struck out 15, but he's surrendered only one home run.

Right-handers are batting .256 against Sabathia in his career, but .310 this season. Left-handers are hitting .200.

Sabathia is 18-7 with a 3.45 ERA in 33 career starts against the Orioles and 10-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 20 starts at Camden Yards, but he's far removed from his most dominant days.

2011: 2-0, 1.69 ERA in two starts versus the Orioles
2012: 0-2, 6.38 in three starts
2013: 2-2, 4.46 in five starts
2014: didn't face them
2015: 0-1, 4.86 ERA in three starts

Matt Wieters caught last night and is likely to be on the bench tonight. He's 7-for-43 (.163) against Sabathia, with two doubles, a home run and 11 strikeouts.

Nolan Reimold should return to the lineup against a lefty, and Sabathia is the right one for him. He's 12-for-32 (.375) with two doubles, a triple and two home runs.

Mark Trumbo is 5-for-16 (.313) with a home run, Adam Jones is 19-for-69 (.275) with four doubles, a triple, four home runs and 14 RBIs, and Chris Davis is 8-for-33 (.242) with a home run and 17 strikeouts.

Down on the farm, outfielder Dariel Alvarez went 4-for-5 with six RBIs last night in Triple-A Norfolk's 8-0 win over Louisville.

Paul Janish collected two more hits and is batting .329. Catcher Audry Perez went 3-for-4 and is batting .385.

Aren't those guys known for their defense?