Yankees Fall As Orioles Spoil Andy Pettitte's Return From Disabled List

Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Luke Scott homered off Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, then doubled to start the 11th and scored the winning run on a single by Ty Wigginton, as the Baltimore Orioles salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the New York Yankees with a 4-3 win at Camden Yards.

Rivera came on in the ninth and tried to earn the save for Andy Pettitte in the New York lefty's return from a two-month stint on the disabled list, but Scott hit the ace reliever's first pitch over the high scoreboard in right field to tie the game at 3-3.

The Orioles worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 11th when New York's Lance Berkman bounced into a double play, and Scott led off the home half with a bloop double to left off David Robertson (4-5). Wigginton followed with a drive to right-center field to score Scott with the winning run.

Despite the loss, the Yankees remained in first place in the AL East after the Rays dropped a 6-3 decision against the Angels. New York still has a lead of one-half game over Tampa Bay, as the two clubs open a four-game series on Monday at Yankee Stadium.

Pettitte threw six solid innings in his first big league start since July 18. He had been sidelined with a groin strain and, after two minor league rehab starts, limited the Orioles to a run on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

The Yankees completed a nine-game road trip at 3-6 with three losses in extra innings and four walkoff setbacks overall. Rivera also blew one of those games when he hit Texas' Jeff Francoeur in the ninth inning to force home the winning run of a 7-6 Rangers win.

Chris Tillman started for Baltimore and was lifted after surrendering three runs on three hits and six walks in 3 2/3 innings. Mike Gonzalez (1-3), despite loading the bases in the 11th, was credited with the win.

Gonzalez walked Alex Rodriguez to start the top of the 11th, then stepped off the rubber and threw the ball away on a pickoff attempt to put pinch-runner Eduardo Nunez on third. After Marcus Thames struck out, Baltimore manager Buck Showalter decided to walk both pinch-hitter Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter to load the bases for Berkman, who bounced into a 5-4-3 double play to keep the game tied.

The Yankees grabbed the lead in the first when Brett Gardner walked, took second on a wild pitch and scored from third on a two-out single by Robinson Cano. The Orioles countered in the home half when Brian Roberts led off with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out bunt base hit by Adam Jones.

Cano started the Yankee fourth with a walk and took second on a free pass to Jorge Posada before scoring on a single by Curtis Granderson. The Yankees went on to load the bases and added a run on a two-out walk by Gardner before Matt Albers got Jeter on a grounder to end the rally.

New York had a chance to extend the lead in the sixth with runners on the corners and one out, but Gardner grounded out weakly to third and Jeter followed with another groundout.

Baltimore pulled to within one in the eighth. Corey Patterson led off with a bunt single against Boone Logan and Matt Wieters singled off Kerry Wood to put runners on the corners. Felix Pie's pinch-hit single plated Patterson and a sacrifice by Roberts put runners at second and third with one out. Wood, though, fanned Robert Andino and intentionally walked Nick Markakis before inducing a pop out from Jones to end the inning.

Baltimore improved to 13-3 in extra innings, including 10-1 at home...Scott had been 1-for-12 lifetime against Rivera...The Yankees still won the season series, 13-5...New York went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base.