Yankees Top Orioles, Headed to ALCS
Published at
Al Bello/Getty Images(NEW YORK) –The New York Yankees topped the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 in the deciding game 5 of the ALDS behind a complete game from ace C.C. Sabathia.
Sabathia pitched a four hitter, giving up one run to help the Yankees reach the American League Championship Series, where they will take on the Detroit Tigers.
It was his first postseason complete game and second win in the series over the Orioles.
The game came with a lot of controversy as Yankee manager Joe Girardi decided to bench struggling third baseman Alex Rodriguez in a pivotal game with the season on the line.
The lineup responded with Ichiro Suzuki and Raul Ibanez driving in runs for the Yankees. Curtis Granderson drilled a solo home run in the seventh inning to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.
Sabathia gave up a run in the eighth and the Orioles threatened with the bases loaded, but the ace stayed to his true dominant form and got out of the jam for the Yankees. He finished with nine strikeouts.
Game one of the ALCS is Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio.