Sabathia pitches Yankees past Orioles and into ALCS

Bronx, NY, United States (4E Sports) – CC Sabathia went the distance, allowing a run and four-hits and Curtis Granderson broke out of a slump with a home run to lead the New York Yankees to a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth and deciding game of the American League Division Series.

Sabathia (2-0) posted his first career postseason complete game, striking out nine and walking two. His second strong start of the series helped the Yankees advance to the American League Championship Series, where they’ll face the Detroit Tigers beginning Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.

New York held off the Orioles despite playing without Alex Rodriguez, who was benched by manager Joe Girardi. The slugging third baseman, who made $29 million this past season, was 2-for-16 in the series.

The rest of the Yankees managed to do just enough against Orioles starter Jason Hammel (0-1), who retired the first 12 hitters he faced before the Yankees started to get to him.

Hammel allowed two runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out six.

New York broke through to score in the fifth inning. Mark Teixeira led off with a line-drive single to right, promptly stole second base and came around to score on a Raul Ibanez single to center.

New York extended its lead in the sixth as Derek Jeter reached on a walk and scored easily on Ichiro Suzuki’s double off the wall in right-center. Granderson added some insurance in the seventh with his first home run of the playoffs.

Baltimore scored a run in the eighth on a Lew Ford RBI single to left.

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