GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: NY YANKEES (91-67) at BALTIMORE (67-91)

AL: NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL AT BALTIMORE - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY J.R. HOUSE (3) TO LEFT CENTER WITH 2 OUT
IN THE 9TH OFF KYLE FARNSWORTH.
CURRENT SCORE: NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 4

DUE UP FOR BALTIMORE: F BYNUM (.263, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
NY YANKEES 1 0 1 4 3 0 1 0 0 10 14 0
BALTIMORE 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 4 6 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: NYY - SEAN HENN, CHASE WRIGHT (4TH), ROSS OHLENDORF (6TH), JOBA
CHAMBERLAIN (7TH), CHRIS BRITTON (8TH), KYLE FARNSWORTH (9TH)
AND JOSE MOLINA

BAL - BRIAN BURRES, VICTOR ZAMBRANO (4TH), ROB BELL
(5TH), RADHAMES LIZ (6TH) AND J.R. HOUSE, GUSTAVO MOLINA (8TH)

HOME RUNS: NYY - NONE

BAL - KEVIN MILLAR (17) OFF SEAN HENN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
J.R. HOUSE (3) OFF KYLE FARNSWORTH IN THE 9TH, 0 ON</div>

 

AL: NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
NY YANKEES 1 0 1 4 3 0 1 0 0 10 14 0
BALTIMORE 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 4 6 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: NYY - SEAN HENN, CHASE WRIGHT (4TH), ROSS OHLENDORF (6TH), JOBA
CHAMBERLAIN (7TH), CHRIS BRITTON (8TH), KYLE FARNSWORTH (9TH)
AND JOSE MOLINA

BAL - BRIAN BURRES, VICTOR ZAMBRANO (4TH), ROB BELL
(5TH), RADHAMES LIZ (6TH) AND J.R. HOUSE, GUSTAVO MOLINA (8TH)


WP - CHASE WRIGHT (2-0)
LP - BRIAN BURRES (6-8)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: NYY - NONE

BAL - KEVIN MILLAR (17) OFF SEAN HENN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
J.R. HOUSE (3) OFF KYLE FARNSWORTH IN THE 9TH, 0 ON


TIME: 3:26 ATT: 43,589

PROBABLES:</div>

 

AL: NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">NY YANKEES (10) VS BALTIMORE (4) - FINAL

NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Damon lf 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 .270
S Duncan lf 2 1 0 0 1 1 2 .257
D Jeter ss 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 .322
A Gonzalez ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 5 .071
B Abreu rf 4 1 0 2 2 0 1 .283
A Rodriguez 3b 2 1 2 1 1 0 0 .314
B Sardinha pr-3b 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 .333
J Giambi dh 5 0 1 2 0 2 5 .236
W Betemit 2b 5 0 2 3 0 2 4 .226
M Cabrera cf 4 0 1 0 1 0 4 .273
D Mientkiewicz 1b 4 2 2 0 1 0 1 .277
J Molina c 5 2 3 0 0 2 2 .257

Totals 40 10 14 10 8 10 28

BATTING: 2B - W Betemit (4, B Burres); D Mientkiewicz (12, B Burres). 3B - D
Jeter (4, B Burres). SF - B Sardinha. RBI - A Rodriguez (156), W Betemit 3
(24), J Damon (63), B Abreu 2 (101), J Giambi 2 (39), B Sardinha (2). 2-out RBI
- W Betemit 2, J Giambi. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - W Betemit 2,
D Jeter 1, M Cabrera 3, A Gonzalez 1. Team LOB - 13.

BASERUNNING: SB - B Abreu (25, 2nd base off V Zambrano/J House).

FIELDING: PB - J Molina. DP: 1 (A Gonzalez-W Betemit-D Mientkiewicz).


BALTIMORE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
T Redman cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .318
L Hernandez 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .290
M Mora 3b 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .274
G Molina c 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111
M Tejada ss 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .296
B Fahey pr-ss 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .167
K Millar dh 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 .254
J Payton rf 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .256
S Moore 1b-3b 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .255
J House c-1b 3 1 1 1 0 0 3 .211
F Bynum lf 4 0 0 0 0 4 1 .260

Totals 32 4 6 3 2 6 10

BATTING: HR - K Millar (17, 2nd inning off S Henn 0 on, 1 Out), J House (3, 9th
inning off K Farnsworth 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - K Millar (63), S Moore (11), J
House (3). 2-out RBI - S Moore, J House. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - J House 2, S Moore 1. GIDP - J Payton. Team LOB - 5.


----------------------------------------------------
NY YANKEES - 101 430 100 -- 10
BALTIMORE - 010 101 001 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
S Henn 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 7.12
C Wright (W, 2-0) 2 2 1 1 0 2 0 7.20
R Ohlendorf 1 2/3 2 1 1 1 1 0 2.84
J Chamberlain 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.37
C Britton 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.55
K Farnsworth 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 4.80

BALTIMORE ip h r er bb so hr era
B Burres (L, 6-8) 3 1/3 9 6 6 2 3 0 5.95
V Zambrano 1 1 3 3 4 1 0 10.17
R Bell 2/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.94
R Liz 4 3 1 1 2 5 0 6.93

WP - V Zambrano. HBP - J Giambi (by V Zambrano); M Tejada (by C Wright); J
House (by C Wright). Pitches-strikes: S Henn 42-26; C Wright 26-18; R Ohlendorf
31-18; J Chamberlain 5-3; C Britton 13-8; K Farnsworth 14-11; B Burres 93-59; V
Zambrano 39-14; R Bell 8-5; R Liz 80-50. Ground balls-fly balls: S Henn 3-4; C
Wright 4-0; R Ohlendorf 3-1; J Chamberlain 1-0; C Britton 1-2; K Farnsworth
0-2; B Burres 2-5; V Zambrano 2-0; R Bell 0-1; R Liz 0-7. Batters faced: S Henn
11; C Wright 9; R Ohlendorf 8; J Chamberlain 1; C Britton 3; K Farnsworth 4; B
Burres 21; V Zambrano 9; R Bell 3; R Liz 17.

UMPIRES: HP--Tony Randazzo. 1B--Greg Gibson. 2B--Larry Vanover. 3B--Dana
Demuth.

T--3:26. Att--43,589.
Weather: 84 degrees, sunny. Wind: 5 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

AL: NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
NY YANKEES 10
BALTIMORE 4 FINAL</div>

 

AL: NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NY YANKEES (10) AT BALTIMORE (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NY YANKEES 1ST: J Damon struck out swinging. D Jeter tripled to center.
B Abreu walked. A Rodriguez singled to right center, D Jeter scored, B Abreu
to second. J Giambi flied out to right. W Betemit struck out swinging. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BALTIMORE 0.

BALTIMORE 2ND: M Tejada flied out to center. K Millar homered to left.
J Payton walked. S Moore grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Payton out
at second. S Moore to second on passed ball by J Molina. J House fouled out to
first. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BALTIMORE 1.

NY YANKEES 3RD: B Abreu flied out to left. A Rodriguez singled to center.
J Giambi flied out to left. W Betemit doubled to left, A Rodriguez scored.
M Cabrera popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2,
BALTIMORE 1.

NY YANKEES 4TH: D Mientkiewicz hit a ground rule double to deep right.
J Molina singled to right, D Mientkiewicz to third. J Damon singled to shallow
left, D Mientkiewicz scored, J Molina to second. D Jeter walked, J Molina to
third, J Damon to second. B Abreu grounded into fielder's choice to second,
J Molina scored, D Jeter out at second, J Damon to third. V Zambrano relieved
B Burres. B Abreu stole second. A Rodriguez walked. B Sardinha ran for
A Rodriguez. J Giambi hit by pitch, J Damon scored, B Abreu to third, B Sardinha
to second. W Betemit grounded out to first, B Abreu scored, B Sardinha to
third, J Giambi to second. M Cabrera grounded out to second. (4 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) NY YANKEES 6, BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 4TH: S Duncan in left field. A Gonzalez at shortstop. B Sardinha
at third base. C Wright relieved S Henn. M Mora reached on infield single to
third. M Tejada hit by pitch, M Mora to second. K Millar reached on infield
single to shortstop, M Mora to third, M Tejada to second. J Payton grounded
into double play, shortstop to second to first, M Mora scored, K Millar out
at second, M Tejada to third. S Moore struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) NY YANKEES 6, BALTIMORE 2.

NY YANKEES 5TH: D Mientkiewicz walked. D Mientkiewicz to second on wild
pitch by V Zambrano. J Molina singled to left, D Mientkiewicz to third.
S Duncan walked, J Molina to second. A Gonzalez struck out swinging. B Abreu
walked, D Mientkiewicz scored, J Molina to third, S Duncan to second. R Bell
relieved V Zambrano. B Sardinha hit sacrifice fly to right, J Molina scored,
S Duncan to third. J Giambi singled to right, S Duncan scored, B Abreu to
second. W Betemit struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 9,
BALTIMORE 2.

BALTIMORE 6TH: R Ohlendorf relieved C Wright. M Mora grounded out to
second. M Tejada singled to center. B Fahey ran for M Tejada. K Millar
walked, B Fahey to second. J Payton grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, K Millar out at second, B Fahey to third. S Moore singled to left,
B Fahey scored, J Payton to second. J House grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, S Moore out at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 9,
BALTIMORE 3.

NY YANKEES 7TH: B Fahey at shortstop. B Abreu lined out to center.
B Sardinha walked. J Giambi struck out swinging. W Betemit singled to center,
B Sardinha scored. M Cabrera flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 9TH: K Farnsworth relieved C Britton. J Payton flied out to
right. S Moore flied out to left. J House homered to left center. F Bynum
struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 4.</div>

 

AL: NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
NY YANKEES 1 0 1 4 3 0 1 0 0 10 14 0
BALTIMORE 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 4 6 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: NYY - SEAN HENN, CHASE WRIGHT (4TH), ROSS OHLENDORF (6TH), JOBA
CHAMBERLAIN (7TH), CHRIS BRITTON (8TH), KYLE FARNSWORTH (9TH)
AND JOSE MOLINA

BAL - BRIAN BURRES, VICTOR ZAMBRANO (4TH), ROB BELL
(5TH), RADHAMES LIZ (6TH) AND J.R. HOUSE, GUSTAVO MOLINA (8TH)


WP - CHASE WRIGHT (2-0)
LP - BRIAN BURRES (6-8)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: NYY - NONE

BAL - KEVIN MILLAR (17) OFF SEAN HENN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON
J.R. HOUSE (3) OFF KYLE FARNSWORTH IN THE 9TH, 0 ON


TIME: 3:26 ATT: 43,589</div>

 

AL: NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NY YANKEES (10) AT BALTIMORE (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ny Yankees Starting Lineups -- J Damon LF, D Jeter SS, B Abreu RF, A Rodriguez 3B,
J Giambi DH, W Betemit 2B, M Cabrera CF, D Mientkiewicz 1B, J Molina C, S Henn LHP.

Baltimore Starting Lineups -- T Redman CF, L Hernandez 2B, M Mora 3B, M Tejada SS,
K Millar DH, J Payton RF, S Moore 1B, J House C, F Bynum LF, B Burres LHP.

Umpires -- Tony Randazzo (HP), Greg Gibson (1B), Larry Vanover (2B),
Dana Demuth (3B).

Gametime Weather: 84 degrees, Sunny, wind out to center at 5 mph.


NY YANKEES 1ST: J Damon struck out swinging. D Jeter tripled to center.
B Abreu walked. A Rodriguez singled to right center, D Jeter scored, B Abreu
to second. J Giambi flied out to right. W Betemit struck out swinging. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BALTIMORE 0.

BALTIMORE 1ST: T Redman popped out to shortstop. L Hernandez grounded out
to first. M Mora flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1,
BALTIMORE 0.

NY YANKEES 2ND: M Cabrera singled to right. D Mientkiewicz flied out to
right. J Molina singled to left center, M Cabrera to second. J Damon grounded
into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Molina out at second, M Cabrera to third.
D Jeter struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1,
BALTIMORE 0.

BALTIMORE 2ND: M Tejada flied out to center. K Millar homered to left.
J Payton walked. S Moore grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Payton out
at second. S Moore to second on passed ball by J Molina. J House fouled out to
first. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BALTIMORE 1.

NY YANKEES 3RD: B Abreu flied out to left. A Rodriguez singled to center.
J Giambi flied out to left. W Betemit doubled to left, A Rodriguez scored.
M Cabrera popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2,
BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 3RD: F Bynum struck out swinging. T Redman struck out swinging.
L Hernandez grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2,
BALTIMORE 1.

NY YANKEES 4TH: D Mientkiewicz hit a ground rule double to deep right.
J Molina singled to right, D Mientkiewicz to third. J Damon singled to shallow
left, D Mientkiewicz scored, J Molina to second. D Jeter walked, J Molina to
third, J Damon to second. B Abreu grounded into fielder's choice to second,
J Molina scored, D Jeter out at second, J Damon to third. V Zambrano relieved
B Burres. B Abreu stole second. A Rodriguez walked. B Sardinha ran for
A Rodriguez. J Giambi hit by pitch, J Damon scored, B Abreu to third, B Sardinha
to second. W Betemit grounded out to first, B Abreu scored, B Sardinha to
third, J Giambi to second. M Cabrera grounded out to second. (4 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) NY YANKEES 6, BALTIMORE 1.

BALTIMORE 4TH: S Duncan in left field. A Gonzalez at shortstop. B Sardinha
at third base. C Wright relieved S Henn. M Mora reached on infield single to
third. M Tejada hit by pitch, M Mora to second. K Millar reached on infield
single to shortstop, M Mora to third, M Tejada to second. J Payton grounded
into double play, shortstop to second to first, M Mora scored, K Millar out
at second, M Tejada to third. S Moore struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) NY YANKEES 6, BALTIMORE 2.

NY YANKEES 5TH: D Mientkiewicz walked. D Mientkiewicz to second on wild
pitch by V Zambrano. J Molina singled to left, D Mientkiewicz to third.
S Duncan walked, J Molina to second. A Gonzalez struck out swinging. B Abreu
walked, D Mientkiewicz scored, J Molina to third, S Duncan to second. R Bell
relieved V Zambrano. B Sardinha hit sacrifice fly to right, J Molina scored,
S Duncan to third. J Giambi singled to right, S Duncan scored, B Abreu to
second. W Betemit struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 9,
BALTIMORE 2.

BALTIMORE 5TH: J House hit by pitch. F Bynum struck out swinging.
T Redman grounded into fielder's choice to second, J House out at second.
L Hernandez grounded into fielder's choice to second, T Redman out at second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 9, BALTIMORE 2.

NY YANKEES 6TH: R Liz relieved R Bell. M Cabrera walked. D Mientkiewicz
singled to right, M Cabrera to second. J Molina struck out swinging. S Duncan
flied out to center. A Gonzalez popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) NY YANKEES 9, BALTIMORE 2.

BALTIMORE 6TH: R Ohlendorf relieved C Wright. M Mora grounded out to
second. M Tejada singled to center. B Fahey ran for M Tejada. K Millar
walked, B Fahey to second. J Payton grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, K Millar out at second, B Fahey to third. S Moore singled to left,
B Fahey scored, J Payton to second. J House grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, S Moore out at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 9,
BALTIMORE 3.

NY YANKEES 7TH: B Fahey at shortstop. B Abreu lined out to center.
B Sardinha walked. J Giambi struck out swinging. W Betemit singled to center,
B Sardinha scored. M Cabrera flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 7TH: F Bynum struck out swinging. T Redman flied out to center.
J Chamberlain relieved R Ohlendorf. L Hernandez grounded out to first. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 3.

NY YANKEES 8TH: G Molina catching. S Moore at third base. J House at first
base. D Mientkiewicz flied out to left. J Molina struck out swinging.
S Duncan struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 10,
BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 8TH: C Britton relieved J Chamberlain. G Molina grounded out to
shortstop. B Fahey lined out to shortstop. K Millar flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 3.

NY YANKEES 9TH: A Gonzalez popped out to first. B Abreu flied out to
center. B Sardinha singled to center. J Giambi struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 3.

BALTIMORE 9TH: K Farnsworth relieved C Britton. J Payton flied out to
right. S Moore flied out to left. J House homered to left center. F Bynum
struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 4.</div>

 

Rodriguez, Yankees top Orioles in season finale

<h3>NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 4</h3>BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees could not improvetheir playoff position and the Baltimore Orioles could notfinish higher in American League East, but the teams still hadsomething to play for.


Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-2 and drove in his 156th run of theseason as the Yankees defeated the Orioles, 10-4, on Sunday inthe regular-season finale for both clubs.


Already plugged in as the AL wild card representative, New York(94-68) didn't need the victory, but the win did allow them tosplit the season series with the Orioles at nine games apiece.Baltimore (69-93) was in line to win the series for the firsttime since 1997 - the team's last winning season.


Clearly the leading candidate for AL MVP, Rodriguez wasn't theonly Yankees player to pad his statistics in the win. Rightfielder Bobby Abreu drove in a pair of runs to reach the 100 RBImark for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.

In addition to a solid .314 batting average, Rodriguez finishedthe season leading the majors with with 54 home runs and RBI -which ties Jimmie Foxx for 29th on the all-time, single-seasonRBI list.


With the Yankees leading, 6-1, Rodriguez, shortstop Derek Jeterand left fielder Johnny Damon all were removed from the game inthe fourth inning.


The Yankees, who have reached the playoffs for the 13th straightseason, will face the Cleveland Indians (95-66) in the ALDivision Series beginning Thursday.


Chase Wright (2-0) picked up the win for the Yankees afterallowing one run and two hits in two innings of relief. He didnot walk a batter and struck out two.


In his first start of the season after 28 relief appearances forthe Yankees, Sean Henn gave up one run, one hit and one walkwhile striking out two in three innings.


Wilson Betemit drove in three runs for the Yankees, who willfinish the year as the majors highest-scoring team with 968runs. No other major league team broke the 900-run mark thisseason.


Baltimore starter Brian Burres (6-8) took the loss afterallowing six runs, nine hits and two walks while striking outthree in 3 1/3 innings.


Kevin Millar and J.R. House homered for the Orioles, who havefinished fourth in the AL East nine times in the last 10seasons.

 

Rodriguez, Yankees top Orioles in season finale

<h3>NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 4</h3>BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees could not improvetheir playoff position and the Baltimore Orioles could notfinish higher in American League East, but the teams still hadsomething to play for.


Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-2 and drove in his 156th run of theseason as the Yankees defeated the Orioles, 10-4, on Sunday inthe regular-season finale for both clubs.


Already plugged in as the AL wild card representative, New York(94-68) didn't need the victory, but the win did allow them tosplit the season series with the Orioles at nine games apiece.Baltimore (69-93) was in line to win the series for the firsttime since 1997 - the team's last winning season.


"It's a year I'm proud of because so many people counted usout," said Rodriguez, referring to the hole the Yankees dugthemselves with a slow start. "It's been the toughest yeartrying to get to the postseason."


Clearly the leading candidate for AL MVP, Rodriguez wasn't theonly Yankees player to pad his statistics in the win. Rightfielder Bobby Abreu drove in a pair of runs to reach the 100 RBImark for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.

"I just feel happy about it. I wanted to keep the string,"Abreu said. "I know I struggled early in the season, but Inever give up."


In addition to a solid .314 batting average, Rodriguez finishedthe season leading the majors with with 54 home runs and RBI -which ties Jimmie Foxx for 29th on the all-time, single-seasonRBI list.


"To have the numbers that he put up there are more thanamazing," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Winning ballgamesfor us - ninth-inning heroics - and they don't tell you aboutthe defense that he gave us. It's about as a complete and MVPseason as you can find."


With the Yankees leading, 6-1, Rodriguez, shortstop Derek Jeterand left fielder Johnny Damon all were removed from the game inthe fourth inning.


The Yankees, who have reached the playoffs for the 13th straightseason, will face the Cleveland Indians (95-66) in the ALDivision Series beginning Thursday.


Chase Wright (2-0) picked up the win for the Yankees afterallowing one run and two hits in two innings of relief. He didnot walk a batter and struck out two.


In his first start of the season after 28 relief appearances forthe Yankees, Sean Henn gave up one run, one hit and one walkwhile striking out two in three innings.


Wilson Betemit drove in three runs for the Yankees, who willfinish the year as the majors highest-scoring team with 968runs. No other major league team broke the 900-run mark thisseason.


Baltimore starter Brian Burres (6-8) took the loss afterallowing six runs, nine hits and two walks while striking outthree in 3 1/3 innings.


Kevin Millar and J.R. House homered for the Orioles, who havefinished fourth in the AL East nine times in the last 10seasons.


"It's been a mental grind. The last six weeks, seven weeks, havebeen tough," Millar said.


Manager Dave Trembley, who saw his team lose 28 of its final 39games, said the Orioles will look for better pitching nextseason.


"I wish it would have turned out different for a lot ofreasons," Trembley said.

 

Rodriguez, Yankees top Orioles in season finale

<h3>NY YANKEES 10, BALTIMORE 4</h3>BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees could not improvetheir playoff position and the Baltimore Orioles could notfinish higher in American League East, but the teams still hadsomething to play for.


Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-2 and drove in his 156th run of theseason as the Yankees defeated the Orioles, 10-4, on Sunday inthe regular-season finale for both clubs.


Already plugged in as the AL wild card representative, New York(94-68) didn't need the victory, but the win did allow them tosplit the season series with the Orioles at nine games apiece.Baltimore (69-93) was in line to win the series for the firsttime since 1997 - the team's last winning season.


"It's a year I'm proud of because so many people counted usout," said Rodriguez, referring to the hole the Yankees dugthemselves with a slow start. "It's been the toughest yeartrying to get to the postseason."


Clearly the leading candidate for AL MVP, Rodriguez wasn't theonly Yankees player to pad his statistics in the win. Rightfielder Bobby Abreu drove in a pair of runs to reach the 100 RBImark for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.

"I just feel happy about it. I wanted to keep the string,"Abreu said. "I know I struggled early in the season, but Inever give up."


In addition to a solid .314 batting average, Rodriguez finishedthe season leading the majors with with 54 home runs and RBI -which ties Jimmie Foxx for 29th on the all-time, single-seasonRBI list.


"To have the numbers that he put up there are more thanamazing," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Winning ballgamesfor us - ninth-inning heroics - and they don't tell you aboutthe defense that he gave us. It's about as a complete and MVPseason as you can find."


With the Yankees leading, 6-1, Rodriguez, shortstop Derek Jeterand left fielder Johnny Damon all were removed from the game inthe fourth inning.


The Yankees, who have reached the playoffs for the 13th straightseason, will face the Cleveland Indians (96-66) in the ALDivision Series beginning Thursday.


Chase Wright (2-0) picked up the win for the Yankees afterallowing one run and two hits in two innings of relief. He didnot walk a batter and struck out two.


In his first start of the season after 28 relief appearances forthe Yankees, Sean Henn gave up one run, one hit and one walkwhile striking out two in three innings.


Wilson Betemit drove in three runs for the Yankees, who willfinish the year as the majors highest-scoring team with 968runs. No other major league team broke the 900-run mark thisseason.


Baltimore starter Brian Burres (6-8) took the loss afterallowing six runs, nine hits and two walks while striking outthree in 3 1/3 innings.


Kevin Millar and J.R. House homered for the Orioles, who havefinished fourth in the AL East nine times in the last 10seasons.


"It's been a mental grind. The last six weeks, seven weeks, havebeen tough," Millar said.


Manager Dave Trembley, who saw his team lose 28 of its final 39games, said the Orioles will look for better pitching nextseason.


"I wish it would have turned out different for a lot ofreasons," Trembley said.