Sabathia struggles again as Orioles beat Yankees 11-2

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) CC Sabathia struggled for the second straight start, and the former ace's spot in the New York Yankees' rotation is in doubt following an 11-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Manny Machado had an RBI double and Mark Trumbo hit a three-run homer in the first off the 35-year-old left-hander, who allowed seven runs - four earned - and six hits in 3 2-3 innings. His ERA rose to 7.36.

Sabathia, speaking softly and with frustration in his voice, said he is not worrying about the situation and added that he's ''not wired like that'' to change his approach in his final two spring training starts.

''I've never been a good spring training pitcher, so it is what it is,'' he said. ''I feel healthy and I'll be ready to go.''

Baltimore scored three unearned runs in the fourth, including Machado's two-out, two-run single that ended Sabathia's night after 63 pitches. Trumbo got his fourth RBI with a run-scoring single off Andrew Miller.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before the game that ''there's six pegs and only five holes'' for the rotation. Ivan Nova is in the mix to start if Sabathia is dropped.

''It's going to be a tough decision,'' Girardi said. ''I thought he pitched better than the numbers indicated, but he made some mistakes. I saw progress, but (he) needs to be more consistent.''

Sabathia has had control issues the past two starts with his changeup, and switched from a two-seam grip back to four on his fastball.

''I was playing with my grips tonight and just didn't have it,'' Sabathia said.

Sabathia was 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA last year, when he was slowed by his surgically repaired right knee. Using a tighter brace, he went 2-1 with a 2.17 ERA in his last five starts.

''He's been the guy that shoulders the biggest responsibilities on any team he's been on,'' Girardi said. ''He's expected to be the ace. He's the guy you want out on the mound. It's definitely different for him.''

Machado drove in his fourth run on a sixth-inning single.

STARTING TIME

Orioles: Miguel Gonzalez gave up two runs and four hits in four innings, dropping his ERA from 22.24 to 14.90. ''It's that time of year you'd like to start getting a little return on your preparation,'' manager Buck Showalter said.

Yankees: Sabathia struck out one and walked two.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: C Matt Wieters, who reported a sore right wrist on Saturday, hit off a pitching machine. ''Upbeat, feeling good,'' Showalter said. ... OF Xavier Avery didn't play due to a hip flexor injury.

Yankees: LF Brett Gardner went 0 for 3 in his second game since bruising his left wrist in last year's AL wild card loss to Houston. He is 0 for 5 overall... Backup OF Aaron Hicks had a triple in three at-bats one day after being scratched with an eye issue.

MOVING DAY

The Orioles optioned RHP Parker Bridwell and LHP Chris Lee to Double-A Bowie.

UP NEXT

Orioles: Yovani Gallardo faces Tampa Bay ace Chris Archer on Saturday. Gallardo has a 16.62 ERA (eight runs allowed over 4 1-3 innings) in two earlier starts.

Yankees: Michael Pineda will go against Atlanta's Julio Teheran. Over his first two appearances, Pineda has not allowed a run in five innings.