Yanks' Take Series Opener Against Orioles

Ivan Nova delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles Monday night. (The Associated Press Photo)

The Yankees took game 1 of this 2 game set Monday night as they defeated the Baltimore Orioles 8-5.

Ivan Nova took the mound for the Yankees as he was looking for his 5th win of the season. Nova wasn't looking too sharp early on as he didn't have command of his fastball. He was missing up a lot and that cost him 2 runs in the 1st inning.

Nova would eventually leave the game in the 6th inning with a right ankle contusion and sprain. Nova allowed 5 runs on 7 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out 4 and walked 3.

The Yankees battled back from their early deficit when Nick Swisher doubled in 2 runs in the 4th inning. He bumped his RBI total up to 26 on the year. The Yankees offense wasn't done yet. They would go out to plate 1 in the 5th, 2 in the 6th, and 2 in the 7th.

Alex Rodriguez went 3-5 and Robinson Cano went 2-5.

Mark Teixeira had a huge game going 2-4 with a go ahead 2-run shot in the 7th inning. This was the deciding moment of the game.

The Yankees and Orioles will conclude this 2-game set tomorrow night.