Jordan Montgomery Gets His First Win Against Baltimore As Aaron Hicks Homers Twice

The rookie Jordan Montgomery's last start against Baltimore on Memorial Day didn't go so well as he ended up with the loss. On Friday night though he ended up on the other end of the spectrum as he got his first win against Baltimore.

Aaron Hicks led the New York offense with two homers. as he led off the sixth inning with a tiebreaking homer into the Judge's Chambers in right field and then launched a two-run round tripper in the seventh as the Yanks beat the Orioles, 8-2, to pick up their third straight win Friday night at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/235447702/aaron-hicks-two-homers-help-yanks-beat-os/

Aaron Hicks has put up All-Star numbers as he fills in seamlessly for the injured Jacoby Ellsbury, who has been out since May 24 with a concussion. Hicks now has 10 home runs this season, one short of his career high, to go along with his .318 batting average and 1.010 OPS, both of which rank near the top among American League outfielders." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/235447702/aaron-hicks-two-homers-help-yanks-beat-os/

He continues to shine, and he's been really helpful," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He believed in himself last year, but obviously he's having more success. He's been huge for us."

Hicks has been so good that he has earned the chance to play even when Ellsbury returns. While Girardi won't call Hicks his full-time center fielder, he admitted it won't be easy to take him out of the lineup.

New York manager Joe Girardi had this to say about Aaron Hicks.  "He's going to play a lot," Girardi said. "He's going to continue to get a ton of at-bats." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/235447702/aaron-hicks-two-homers-help-yanks-beat-os/

Meanwhile, Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery kept the Orioles' offense in check for much of the night, setting career highs in strikeouts and innings pitched to pick up his fourth win of the season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/235447702/aaron-hicks-two-homers-help-yanks-beat-os/

Montgomery's lone blemish came in the second when he walked Chris Davis and left an 85-mph changeup out over the plate, which Jonathan Schoop ripped for a no-doubt home run into the left-field bleachers. It was the longest and hardest homer Schoop has hit this season, traveling a projected 454 feet with an exit velocity of 112.6 mph, according to Statcast™. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/235447702/aaron-hicks-two-homers-help-yanks-beat-os/

Baltimore starter Dylan Bundy matched Montgomery's performance through the first five innings before Hicks' shot in the sixth. Second baseman Starlin Castro ripped a long ball to lead off the second inning, which Gary Sanchez followed with a rocket double off the center-field wall. Sanchez scored on a Chase Headley sacrifice fly to tie the score at 2. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/235447702/aaron-hicks-two-homers-help-yanks-beat-os/

Hicks' second home run came off reliever Edwin Jackson -- who allowed three unearned runs -- and the Yankees added their final two runs in the eighth against Stefan Crichton, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday after reliever Darren O'Day was placed on the 10-day disabled list. "according to [Bundy] pitched well like he's been doing all year for us," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Once he got out of the game, we couldn't get much done."

New York who is leading the American League East and their rival Boston by 3.0 games improves to 35-23 on the season while Baltimore drops to 31-28 on the season. 

New York and Baltimore will resume their series tonight when New York right -hander Luis Severino gets the start against Baltimore right -hander Chris Tillman. Luis Severino has a record of 4-2 with a 2.90 earn run average and has turned in three -straight quality starts, including a victory against Baltimore on May 30th. He took a no-decision in Toronto his last time out, allowing just a two -run homer over seven innings. He will go up against Baltimore right-hander Chris Tillman who has a record of 1-3 with a 5.59 earn run average. He is still trying to find his way after spending the first month of the season on the disabled list. Tillman has not won since his first start on May 7th, a span of five outings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/06/10/491020#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491020

First pitch is set for 7:15 pm. The game will be televised on Fox. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/06/10/491020#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491020