DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles lose players and keep winning.
Bud Norris pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, and the Orioles beat the Yankees 5-0 Friday night to become the first team since 2006 to sweep a doubleheader from New York.
In the first game of the day-night twinbill, Jimmy Paredes hit a two-run double with two outs in the 11th inning for a 2-1 victory.
Baltimore slugger Chris Davis began a 25-game suspension without pay for a positive test for an amphetamine. The suspension will cover the final 17 games of the regular season and run into the playoffs, or perhaps into 2015.
The Orioles had already lost catcher Matt Wieters (elbow surgery) and third baseman Manny Machado (knee) for the year.
Undeterred, Baltimore extended its winning streak to a season-high six games, moved a season-best 29 games over .500 (88-59) and increased its lead over second-place Toronto in the AL East to 11 1/2 games. The Orioles lowered their magic number for clinching the division to five.
“It’s just another bump in the road that you’ve got to overcome,” outfielder Nick Markakis said. “It’s a long season and we know what we have to do.”
Starters J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones, Markakis sat out the second game, and the Orioles still pulled off the sweep.
“I think we played every position player here in both games and … I wasn’t going to pitch anybody twice in the doubleheader,” manager Buck Showalter said. “Fortunately I did that but only because we’ve got some skilled people that can do a job.”
It was a wasted day for the Yankees, who scored just one run in 20 innings. New York dropped five games back for the second AL wild card and is in danger of missing the postseason in consecutive years for the first time since 1992-93.
“No excuses,” first baseman Brian McCann said. “We have to be able to score runs.”
Since the start of the 2000 season, the Yankees have played 37 doubleheaders, including this one. The only other time they dropped both games was on Sept. 17, 2006, against Boston.
Norris (13-8) struck out 10 and walked two in improving to 3-0 against the Yankees this season. He outpitched Bryan Mitchell (0-1), who allowed two runs and six hits over five innings in his first big league start.
Baltimore took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning when Ryan Flaherty doubled in a run and scored on a triple by Alejandro De Aza. In the seventh, Delmon Young hit a two-run single off David Phelps following three straight walks.
That was enough to saddle the punchless Yankees with their 10th loss in 13 games against the Orioles this season.
“I thought we had a chance to win this afternoon when we scored the one run, but tonight we didn’t do anything against Norris,” manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s pitched well against us before but tonight we didn’t do anything. You have to score runs. We’re pretty beat up right now, but you have to keep fighting. It’s that time of the season.”
In the opener, after Chris Young homered off Brad Brach (7-1) in the top of the 11th, Baltimore countered in the bottom half against Adam Warren (3-6).
Two walks sandwiched around a hit batter loaded the bases for Paredes, pinch hitting for Jonathan Schoop. He drove the first pitch into the right-field corner.
Brandon McCarthy blanked Baltimore on four hits over seven-plus innings in a duel with rookie Kevin Gausman, who allowed seven hits over seven innings.
The opener was a makeup of the rainout on Aug. 12.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter missed the opener after being struck in the left elbow with a pitch on Thursday night. He returned to play in the nightcap and went 0 for 4.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: 3B Chase Headley did not play after being hit in the jaw by a pitch against the Rays. He was to be examined by a neurologist Friday. Also, Phelps (elbow inflammation) was activated from the 15-day disabled list.
Orioles: Hardy played in the opener after missing time with back spasms.
UP NEXT
Miguel Gonzalez, who owns a 1.82 ERA over his last 10 starts, starts for the Orioles against right-hander Shane Greene, who beat Baltimore on July 12.
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