The Yankees put starting pitcher Guy Bean to the test against the Orioles and starting pitcher Jack Withington at Adair Kennedy on Wednesday night.

A hard fought battle which saw the undefeated Yankees jump out to an early lead with 3 runs scored in the top of the first, with a two out rally.

Key hit by Grant Ainsworth led to couple of RBI’s.

After being shut down by the pitching of Guy Bean in the bottom of the first without scoring (including a great battle between Oriole’s batter Tod Basedon and Guy Bean …that ultimately led to the final strikeout) the Orioles re-grouped and started to whittle away at the Yankees lead.

Including an Orioles batter whose line shot that knocked down Yankee’s shortstop Jake Tanner. That scored a couple of runs …and Tanner, injured on the play, regrouped and kept playing a strong middle infield defense.

By the top of the 7th inning, it was Orioles 4 and Yankees 6.

Brendon Pietz came on in relief in the 6th and then started the 7th …quickly getting two outs.

Yankees fought back to load the bases.

With the bases loaded and two outs, utility Yankees player Finn Collins turned on a Pietz fastball and ripped a line drive up the middle.

That seemed to spark the Yankees again and they banged in a few more runs with strong at bats by many Yankees, including Grant Ainsworth again, putting the score at Yankees 9 and Orioles 4.

Tim Christensen came on to pitch relief for the Yankees in the bottom of the 7th and while Orioles got him in a few jams, the Yankees catcher; Devon Williams, came up big at stopping everything thrown his way and the duo was able to finish the Orioles off.

The battle between Orioles and Yankees has continued to get better as the season has gone on. Each game is harder fought than the last.