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BALTIMORE — There have been too many excuses and not enough wins for the Yankees.
It’s time to make a move and there is only one way that will happen, the Yankees must out-slug their opponents. There are too many pitching injuries. Ivan Nova had to leave last night with ankle woes and David Robertson has pain in his left rib cage, meaning Rafael Soriano is the back-to-the-future closer.
The offense has to come through like it did last night for the Yankees to excel.
For that to happen, the Yankees need Mark Teixeira to produce like he did last night, blasting a two-run home run in the seventh off reliever Luis Ayala deep into the right-field seats to snap a 5-5 tie to lead the Yankees to an 8-5 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards.
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TAKE A DEEP BREATH: Mark Teixeira, who has been struggling with breathing problems this season, watches his two-run home run during the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 8-5 victory over the Orioles last night.
As Teixeira rounded the bases, up in Section 32, about 30 rows from the field, Teixeira’s mom and dad and other family members celebrated in the quietest of ways. There were smiles of satisfaction, but no cheers, no high fives.
The parents, John and Margy, just like the son, know that baseball is too humbling of a game to ever get too excited. John is a former Navy pilot. He knows how to keep his cool.
“I love playing here,’’ Teixeira told The Post. “My first three home run game was here when I was with the Rangers and I had a bunch of family here. It was a very special night. I’ve had some great games here. It’s a good place to be when you are back home.’’
Teixeira played baseball, basketball and soccer at Mt. St. Joseph’s High School here, graduating in 1998. The Orioles fans always let him have it when he plays here.
“My dad is a quiet, huge fan,’’ said Teixeira, who has had a trying start to the season because of inflamed bronchial airways that just won’t clear up. “He’s my No. 1 fan. I call him after every game. No matter what, he is always positive. We enjoy talking baseball after games.’’
Teixeira then smiled and said: “More after we win.’’
As Teixeira rounded the bases with his fifth home run of the season, he said there was only one thought in his mind: “7-5, against a first-place team. That’s always a good feeling.’’
The Yankees need to make a move in the AL East. They are 20-15, 1 1/2 games back of the Orioles and Rays, who are both 22-14, in the tightest of divisions.
Manager Joe Girardi knows what the Yankees have to do to have success.
“We’re a club that hits the ball out of the ballpark,’’ Girardi explained. “You look at two through seven, you can even include eight, you have guys who are 20-plus home run guys and we’re not built like the St. Louis Cardinals in the ’80s. We have to hit.’’
Yes, they do. The Yankees are 20-8 when hitting at least one home run and 0-7 in games they have failed to hit a home run. It’s home run or bust right now. Curtis Granderson also homered in the fifth.
The Yankees need to go on a roll, Girardi said.
“I think it’s important we start putting streaks together where we win seven out of nine or eight out of nine,’’ the manager noted.
The Orioles lead the majors with 56 home runs; the Rangers are second with 54 and the Yankees are third with 53 home runs.
The bottom line for the Yankees is that the big guns have to produce. Teixeira also doubled in the ninth and scored three runs.
Many big-money teams are struggling. Of the top five teams in payroll, the Yankees are the only one with a winning record. There is work to do and it is time to get on a roll. No excuses.
“I know I’m capable of a lot more,’’ Teixeira said.
These Yankees will need all that he can give.
Mark Teixeira, The Yankees, the Yankees, the Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, Teixeira
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