By David Ginsburg
The Associated Press
Baltimore – There was no overlooking the game on the top left portion of the scoreboard at Camden Yards, which showed the Boston Red Sox losing big against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The New York Yankees knew a victory over the Baltimore Orioles likely would thrust them into sole possession of first place in the AL East, and they weren’t about to let the opportunity slip away.
Alex Rodriguez hit a milestone homer, Derek Jeter singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, and the Yankees used a fine pitching performance by former Rockies ace Shawn Chacon to beat the Orioles 2-1 on Wednesday night.
About 25 minutes later, Manny Ramirez made the final out for the Red Sox in a 7-2 loss, giving the Yankees a one-game lead in the division with four to play.
The East winner will be determined during a three-game series between the leaders at Fenway Park, beginning Friday night.
One night after the Yankees and Orioles combined for 26 runs and 26 hits, the teams locked up in a tense pitching duel that turned in New York’s favor in the latter innings.
First, Rodriguez hit his 47th homer off Daniel Cabrera (10-13) to tie it at 1 in the sixth. The shot broke Joe DiMaggio’s single-season club record for home runs by a right-handed batter, set in 1937.
New York went up 2-1 in the seventh. After Jorge Posada hit a leadoff single and Cabrera hit Bernie Williams with a pitch, Robinson Cano moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt against Tim Byrdak. Jeter then hit an opposite-field single to right off Todd Williams.
Rodriguez followed with a flyball to right. Bernie Williams tagged from third, but was thrown out on a precise throw by Jay Gibbons in a close play at the plate.
Chacon (7-3) allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. Tom Gordon held the lead for Mariano Rivera, who got three quick outs for his 43rd save.
Javy Lopez put the Orioles ahead 1-0 in the second inning by driving a 2-0 fastball into the left-field seats. It was his 14th homer, and second in two games.
Lopez doubled in the fourth to put runners on second and third with two outs, but Chacon retired Luis Matos on a popup.
Cabrera breezed through the first five innings, giving up two hits and two walks without allowing a runner past first base. All that changed in the sixth, when Rodriguez connected on an 0-1 pitch to tie it up.
