masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNEW YORK – Nine up, nine down for Jason Hammel.

Nine up, nine down for CC Sabathia before Nate McLouth singled leading off the top of the fourth inning.

McLouth’s eight postseason hits tie Derek Jeter for the most among American League players. He’s been quite a McPest to the Yankees.

McLouth stole second with two outs, but Chris Davis flied to center.

These teams are a combined 2-for-29 with runners in scoring position in the last three games including today.

Should the Orioles win…NEW YORK – Nine up, nine down for Jason Hammel.

Nine up, nine down for CC Sabathia before Nate McLouth singled leading off the top of the fourth inning.

McLouth’s eight postseason hits tie Derek Jeter for the most among American League players. He’s been quite a McPest to the Yankees.

McLouth stole second with two outs, but Chris Davis flied to center.

These teams are a combined 2-for-29 with runners in scoring position in the last three games including today.

Should the Orioles win today, they will need a starter for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Wei-Yin Chen would be working on normal rest. Chris Tillman would be working for the first time in the postseason.

Chen has made two starts against the Tigers in his rookie season, going 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA. He’s allowed six runs and nine hits in 11 innings, with four walks and nine strikeouts.

In his only start at Comerica Park, Chen allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings, with two walks, four strikeouts and two home runs.

Tillman is 1-0 with a 4.07 ERA in four starts against the Tigers. He’s allowed 11 runs and 17 hits in 24 1/3 innings, with 13 walks and 20 strikeouts.

In two starts at Comerica Park, Tillman has allowed six runs and eight hits in 12 2/3 innings, with nine walks, nine strikeouts and one home run.

Update: Hammel retired the first 12 batters he faced before Mark Teixeira led off the fifth with a single, stole second and scored on Raul Ibanez’s single up the middle.

Ibanez continues to torment the Orioles.

Hammel crossed up catcher Matt Wieters with the pitch before Ibanez’s single. Wieters appeared to be looking fastball and quickly adjusted to the unexpected curveball. He’s so smooth, he still managed to catch it while rising slightly from his crouch.

A bigger surprise? Teixeira’s stolen base. He had two during the regular season.