The Orioles may not want to leave Yankee Stadium. Even after Wednesday’s loss, they are 7-5 against the Yankees this season. The Yankees are the only team in the AL East that Baltimore has a winning record against, and the Orioles are the only team in the division with a winning record against New York.

“We play very good against better clubs, [and] we rise to good pitching,” Manager Dave Trembley said. “I’m sure guys enjoy playing against the best teams, so there is incentive to do well.”

First baseman Kevin Millar has been among the Yankee killers. Millar clubbed his sixth home run of the season against the Yankees on Tuesday, the most of any player in the majors. He is one shy of the Orioles record for most home runs in a season against the Yankees, set by catcher Ramon Hernandez in 2006. Millar is hitting .340 against New York this year, and has 21 home runs against the Yankees in his career.

“We play them so many times,” Millar said. “They’re always at the top of the standings, so you always try to do whatever it takes to beat them.”

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New York has also struggled against Orioles starting pitcher Daniel Cabrera, Tuesday’s winning pitcher. Cabrera improved to 3-0 in three starts against the Yankees this year, the first Orioles pitcher to beat the Yankees three times in a season since Steve Stone did it in 1980.

Not a fan favorite

Millar has heard the boos each time he has come to the plate this series, and his six home runs against the Yankees this year may not be the reason.

“It’s definitely because of the Red Sox days. That just comes with the territory of being on the Red Sox.” said Millar, who played for Boston from 2003 to 2005 before coming to the Orioles. “It seems like if you play for one or the other, the Yankees or the Red Sox, they hate you. But it’s a good hate.”

Millar was a member of the 2004 team that eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs on the way to a World Championship, and the Yankees faithful have not forgotten about Millar’s role on the team.

“It’s fun, man. I enjoy it. I love it.” Millar said. “I’m not a good enough player to boo, because usually they only boo good players.”

Millar isn’t afraid to give it as much as he gets it.

“I always told the Yankees fans, ‘Don’t be nice to me, boo me,’” he said. “I enjoy it and I talk back to them and yell back. It’s a fun thing.”

Trade deadline approaching

Even if the non-waiver trading deadline passes at 4 p.m. this afternoon without a trade being made, the Orioles know that it doesn’t mean that deals won’t be made next month.

“People still make deals after the trading deadline,” Trembley said. “I think the thing, to be quite honest with you, is overhyped.”

Teams can continue to make trades until August 31 as long as the players clear waivers.