Yankees-Orioles postponed by rain; makeup set for July 9 DH

BALTIMORE -- The opener of a scheduled four-game series between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night was postponed by rain.

A steady rain began to fall shortly before the planned 7:05 p.m. start, and the game was called after a delay of just under two hours.

The makeup will be held as part of a single-admission doubleheader on July 9.

It was the seventh game this season that the Yankees have had postponed or suspended by inclement weather.

"Sadly, we're used to it. It is what it is," New York manager Aaron Boone said. "We'll try and make the best of it. Get ready to go (Friday)."

The surging Yankees came to town after taking two of three from the defending World Series champion Houston Astros. New York has won nine of its last 10 completed series (those not shortened by rain) since April 19.

This was to be the start of an 11-game, four-city road trip that concludes with a three-game interleague series against the Mets on June 8-10.

New York is 13-8 on the road, including 10-4 since mid-April.

The Orioles, on the other hand, have been mired in a swoon that began promptly after they took three of four from New York in early April. Baltimore left Yankee Stadium with a 4-6 record, lost eight of its next nine and now stands at 17-39 -- two percentage points better than the Chicago White Sox for the worst record in the majors.

Baltimore has been blanked six times, including twice while being swept by Washington earlier this week.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: RHP Adam Warren (back), who threw three scoreless innings for Double-A Trenton on Wednesday, may be activated for Monday's doubleheader in Detroit but manager Aaron Boone says he'll wait to see how the reliever "bounces back" from his 41-pitch performance before determining if he'll need another rehab outing. ... LHP Jordan Montgomery (elbow) has been throwing for several days but has not yet taken the mound, and Boone said there is no timetable for his return. ... OF Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique, hip, foot) is rehabbing at the Yankees' facility in Tampa and will "hopefully" start baseball activities soon, Boone said.

Orioles: RHP Darren O'Day (elbow), sidelined since May 9, is making progress, but the 35-year-old reliever will "definitely" need at least one minor league assignment before rejoining the club, manager Buck Showalter said. ... 3B Danny Valencia, whose wife gave birth to a boy on Wednesday, will return from paternity leave on Friday. ... Veteran CF Colby Rasmus (hip) is slated to begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Friday. ... Showalter said he was surprised that Zach Britton (Achilles tendon) was so "crisp" after the two-time All-Star reliever gave up one hit and struck out the side for Class A Frederick on Wednesday. The weather will determine where the lefty makes his next rehab appearance.

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