BALTIMORE — Despite moving back into a tie with the Yankees for first place in the American League East, the Orioles were dealt a major blow in their 5-4 victory Saturday night with the likely loss Nick Markakis for the rest of the season.
The right field suffered a broken left thumb after being hit by a CC Sabathia fastball in the bottom of the fifth inning. The preliminary indication from manager Buck Showalter was that Markakis could miss at least six weeks.
That would leave the Orioles leadoff hitter with a remote chance of returning late in the postseason should the Orioles make the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
Markakis was hitting .298 with 13 home runs and 54 runs batted in 104 games this season.
