Notes: Orioles historically bad with runners in scoring position Wednesday afternoon

That production has left Andino without a starting job, at least temporarily.

"It would be easy to say know we knew exactly what [we were getting]," Showalter said of Quintanilla. "We had an open mind about it. He's got some track record of having success.

"He's a very hungry guy," Showalter added. "He's got a real intensity about him. I can't say I knew exactly, but I trusted our people, and we did a lot of homework on him. It doesn't surprise me that he approaches the game the way that he does."

Quintanilla's play puts pressure on Andino, who returned from the disabled list Tuesday. Quintanilla has started both games since his return.

"I was surprised," Quintanilla said about starting over Andino on Tuesday. "Andino is a good player. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't make the decisions, but I'm thinking we're both going to be ready to play every day when they need us."

Hammel getting closer

Showalter said right-hander Jason Hammel is close to starting baseball activities. Hammel had been the Orioles most effective starter this season until he was sidelined with a right knee injury. He had surgery to remove cartilege from his knee July 16.

"I'm very optimistic about it and trust our medical people, and I saw the work [Hammel] put in to stay on the field," Showalter said. "I look at it more as a case of when as opposed to if [he'll be back]. It will be a shot in the arm for us.

He added: "I think we'll know more when he actually starts throwing the ball and driving down off of [the knee]."

Another injured Oriole, outfielder Nolan Reimold, will move his rehabilitation to Jacksonville, Fla., where his family lives. Reimold underwent surgery June 25 to repair a bulging disk in his neck.

Reimold is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Around the horn

Wednesday's loss put the Orioles one game behind the Yankees in the season series, 6-5. The Orioles haven't swept the Yankees in a three-game series in New York since 1986. … In 20 games since returning from the DL, outfielder Nick Markakis is batting .368 with six doubles, two home runs and 15 runs scored. … With two hits Wednesday, Wieters has now hit safely in all 11 games against the Yankees this season, the longest such streak for an Oriole since B.J. Surhoff hit safely in his first 11 games against the Yanks in 1999.

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