BALTIMORE -- Two out of three aint bad -- unless youre looking to make some headway in the crowded AL playoff race.The Baltimore Orioles sputtered in the clutch Sunday, and the resulting 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees ruined their bid for a three-game sweep.Coming off an 8-0 win on Friday night and a 2-0 victory Saturday, the Orioles missed a chance to sustain the momentum before hitting the road.Were trying to win games. You beat them twice and youre trying to beat them a third time, manager Buck Showalter said. We just didnt have much offensively.The Orioles stranded nine and went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.After falling behind 4-0 in the fourth inning, Baltimore closed to 4-2 before wasting an opportunity to complete the comeback in the fifth.Adam Jones led off with a single and scored on a double by Pedro Alvarez. Luis Severino (2-8) replaced starter Michael Pineda and struck out Manny Machado before issuing two straight walks to load the bases. Steve Pearce struck out and Matt Wieters chopped a grounder to second base to end the threat.Baltimore got only one more hit the rest of the way.Before this series, the Orioles had lost five of seven. So while failing to complete the sweep wasnt ideal, at least Baltimore could take consolation in being in position to do so.I mean, Im trying to keep a positive mind frame, first baseman Chris Davis said. We won the series and well move forward.Baltimore is tied with Detroit for the second AL wild-card slot, but the loss dropped the Orioles three games out of first place in the AL East.After being shut out three consecutive times by the Orioles over a seven-day span, the Yankees promptly put an end to the streak with a three-run first inning.Wade Miley (8-12) walked the first two batters and struck out the next two before Chase Headley hit an RBI single. A wild pitch and a two-run single by Austin Romine followed.Headley singled home a run in the fourth, and Pearce hit a run-scoring grounder in the bottom half.Brett Gardner made it 5-2 with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.The victory was huge for the Yankees, who came to town after winning four straight series.You cant afford to lose three in a row to these guys, manager Joe Girardi said. We know they play really well in this building. We lost a tough one (Saturday) night. To be able to bounce back is important. It keeps us alive.Indeed, the young, retooled Yankees remain a part of the playoff picture, trailing Baltimore and Detroit by 3 1/2 games for the final wild card.Severino (2-8) pitched two strong innings of relief and Dellin Betances, the fifth New York reliever, got four outs for his eighth save.TRAINERS ROOMYankees: SS Didi Gregorius was held out of the starting lineup after absorbing some bumps and bruises during the series. His arm is sore where hes been hit the past few days, Girardi said. . 1B Mark Teixeira doesnt usually play in day games after playing the previous night, and thus was given Sunday off. Commenting on the ice pack Teixeira had on his neck before the game, Girardi said, He deals with his neck, he deals with his knee. Its not what you want, but its the reality.Orioles: RHP Chris Tillman (shoulder) threw off a mound and remains on course to come off the disabled list on Sept. 11.UP NEXTYankees: RHP Masahiro Tanaka (11-4, 3.12 ERA) opens a three-game series against visiting Toronto on Monday. New York is 3-9 against the Blue Jays this season, losing all four series.Orioles: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (5-11, 6.46) starts Monday in the opener of a three-game series at Tampa Bay. Baltimore is 29-37 on the road, 3-3 at Tampa Bay.Jerry Azumah Jersey . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Dan Hampton Jersey . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. http://www.custombearsjersey.com/custom-maury-buford-jersey-large-1596t.html . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. Jim Miller Jersey . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Henry Waechter Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night.DETROIT -- Torii Hunter put the Detroit Tigers ahead with his bat and scored two runs with his 38-year-old legs to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-1 on Wednesday night. Minnesota let the AL Central-leading Tigers score four runs with two outs in the seventh, and three more with two outs in the eighth. On a pivotal play in the seventh, right fielder Chris Hermann failed to get to Hunters drive between him and centre fielder Clete Thomas, allowing Austin Jackson to score easily from first. After Miguel Cabrera was walked intentionally, Prince Fielder struck out, but backup catcher Ryan Doumit let the ball get past him and relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar didnt cover home plate. That mistake gave Hunter a clear path to score. "I was always told by Kirby Puckett, Be a hyena. Always take advantage of the weak link," Hunter said. "I saw the pitcher sitting there, looking at the play and the plate was wide open. That play never develops if Prince doesnt run. He did what he had to do, make them throw the ball and I was able to score." Twins manager Ron Gardenhire lamented the mental mistake by the 26-year-old Thielbar. "The kid got caught watching the play and didnt get to home plate," Gardenhire said. "Thats automatic. You have to cover the plate. He knows that better than anyone right now." Victor Martinez followed with an RBI double to put Detroit up 4-1. Twins second baseman Brian Dozier bobbled a grounder in the eighth, the teams first error in six games, and the miscue loaded the bases for Cabrera, who cleared them with his 25th double that gave him 123 RBIs. The Tigers pinch-ran for Cabrera, who has been playing in pain, but felt better Wednesday than he did Tuesday when he aggravated a strain in his groin, abdominal and hip area. "I was pleased with his health," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. Drew Smyly (5-0) struck out two in a perfect inning in relief of Anibal Sanchez. Jose Veras entered with two outs in the eighth inning and closed the game for his first save with the Tigers. Kevin Correia (8-10) allowed four runs -- two earned -- and nine hits over 6 2-3 innings. "I got us right into the position we needed to be, and I blew it," he said.dddddddddddd Sanchez gave up one run and six hits over 6 2-3 innings. "Both starters were terrific," Leyland said. "Then, we finally broke through." And, Hunter had a lot to do with that. "Hes one of the toughest players Ive ever managed," Leyland said. "In big situations, he gets tougher." Gardenhire knows that perhaps as much as anyone because he was his manager for several years, and was among the least surprised at Comerica Park when he took advantage of the Twins poor play. "Weve seen him do things like that so many times," he said. "Thats just the way he plays the game. He had a huge at-bat, flipped the ball the other way for the double, and then he makes the hustle play when we fall asleep." After six scoreless innings, Dozier hit a two-out single in the seventh to give Minnesota the lead -- briefly. Pedro Florimon drew a walk on a full-count pitch in the seventh. He stole second, the 15th straight stolen base against the Tigers, who were relegated to using their third-best catcher, Bryan Holaday, who was filling in for injured backup Brayan Pena and starter Alex Avila who is on the concussion disabled list. The Tigers gave up a 16th straight stolen base later in the inning, extending the longest active streak in the major leagues, according to STATS LLC. Minnesota was without All-Star catcher Joe Mauer for the second straight day because he is on the seven-day concussion DL. Both teams had five hits through four innings and combined to leave 10 runners on base. Minnesotas Justin Morneau had two of his teams first four hits, including a double in the third, a day after having a season-high four hits. NOTES: Avila was cleared for a rehab assignment, and is scheduled to play for Triple-A Toledo on Thursday at Louisville. ... The Twins recalled Chris Colabello from Triple-A Rochester to take Joe Mauers spot on the roster, and put the rookie at 1B on Wednesday. ... Pena missed the game with a bruised big right toe. ... The Twins expect RHP Samuel Deduno (biceps tendinitis) to make his scheduled start Friday at Cleveland. ' ' '