NEW YORK _ The last time Orioles right-hander Yovani Gallardo pitched at Yankee Stadium, he suffered the shortest start of his big league career, lasting just 1 1/3 innings.
The implications of Gallardo's start Friday were much greater: He could pitch the Orioles one step closer to a postseason berth.
Gallardo held the New York Yankees to one run on two hits over six innings in an 8-1 win.
Posting his second quality start in his past three outings, Gallardo didn't allow a hit until Brian McCann's one-out single in the fourth. At least one batter got on base in five of his six innings, but despite walking four, only twice did a base runner reach second against Gallardo (6-8).
The Yankees' only run off Gallardo came in the fourth on Mark Teixeira's sacrifice fly. Gallardo, who has battled first-inning struggles, pitched a scoreless opening frame after Jacoby Ellsbury opened the game receiving first base on a catcher's-interference call in the batter's box. Gallardo regrouped, retiring the next three hitters to get out of the jam.
With the win, the Orioles remained at least tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for the first American League wild-card spot with two games remaining in the regular season.
