Game 119: Michael Pineda returns

After Tuesday night's game was rained out, the Yankees and Orioles return to the field this evening for the finale of what should have been a three game series this week at Camden Yards -- yesterday's game has been turned into a double header on September 12.

The Yankees lost the first meeting between the two sides on Monday night, taking a 3-1 lead in the 2nd inning before the Orioles came back to score 10 unanswered runs, winning the game 11-3.

The loss put the Yankees seven games behind the Orioles in the AL East. New York can't afford to lose any ground in the standings, and losing to Baltimore isn't helping.

At least Tuesday's rain out meant they didn't have to risk falling another game behind.

Tonight's lineup against Baltimore:

LF Brett Gardner
SS Derek Jeter
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
1B Mark Teixeira
DH Carlos Beltran
3B Chase Headley
2B Stephen Drew
RF Martin Prado
C Francisco Cervelli

Pitching matchup preview:

Big Mike is back! Michael Pineda will finally make his long awaited return to a big league mound for the Yankees this evening.

Pineda only made four starts in April before he was caught using pine tar during a game against the Red Sox, leading to a 10-game suspension. He got hurt during that suspension and has been on the disabled list ever since.

Pineda, who had a 1.83 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 15/3 K/BB ratio over his first 19 2/3 innings (four starts) this season, looked good in a minor league rehab start for Triple-A Scranton on Friday, allowing one run on six hits over 4 1/3 innings of work while striking out seven.

Right-hander Chris Tillman will get the ball for Baltimore tonight, as he looks to keep his his good run of pitching since the All-Star break, having posted a 2.30 ERA since then.

Tillman is coming off of a strong start against the St. Louis Cardinals in his last outing, tossing 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball, giving up just four hits before losing his shutout in the 7th inning.

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