Tomasso DeRosa/US Presswire

Alex Rodriguez's return didn't much matter as the Yankees were pounded by the Orioles on Tuesday.

A SAD BRONX TALE

By David Bearman, ESPN Research

Alex Rodriguez is back. End of problems, right? Not so fast. Rodriguez did return, after missing 17 games with a strained right quadriceps, to hit his 523rd career homer, but that was the only highlight in another bad night in the Bronx, where the Yankees were pounded by the Orioles on Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL

• Mets at Braves, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Mike Mussina, a major reason the Yankees' record wasn't worse than 20-24 heading into Tuesday night, lasted just 2/3 of an inning (tying his career low, which last happened in 1995). Mussina had won five consecutive starts. On Tuesday, however, he allowed seven runs, although only one of them was earned. Yankees captain Derek Jeter didn't help Mussina, making a two-out error. But Mussina allowed the next four Baltimore hitters to reach base, ending his night. By the time A-Rod made his first appearance at the plate, the Yankees were already down 9-0. To make matters worse, Jeter got hit by a pitch on the hand and left the game in the third inning.

So, how bad was it Tuesday night? It's the first time the Yankees allowed seven or more runs in the first inning since 2000, and the first time they allowed eight or more unearned runs in a game since 1990. It's the Yankees' season-high fourth straight loss, and sixth in seven games. So far on the homestand, the Yankees have been outscored 30-8 in three games.

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: May 19 | May 18 | May 15 | May 14 | May 13 | May 12

STILL CHIPPING AWAY

By Rick Sutcliffe, ESPN

Chipper Jones is the National League's version of Derek Jeter, and it's about so much more than having spent an entire career with the same organization.

Jones has always put the team's interests ahead of his own personal stats -- whether it's moving to the outfield for two seasons or giving himself up to score a runner from third. He's never been a player who's set many individual goals, yet the one goal he does have is to combine for 200 runs and RBIs. If Jones can combine to score and drive in 200 runs a season, then the Braves are going to win a lot of games. The one statistic that jumps out to me is his game-winning RBIs. Since 1995, Jones has 183 game-winning RBIs -- that's more than Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds and Gary Sheffield.

At age 36, he's still having fun, and putting up numbers like he did when he was 26. If Atlanta's bullpen gets healthy, the Braves will be able to win more series than they lose. The Phillies and Mets are capable of doing that as well. But if they don't, the Braves will find themselves making a push for the postseason once again.

The Braves have two pitchers, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, on their roster who will one day be in the Hall of Fame. And with the productivity and high level at which Jones continues to play, he'll be in Cooperstown one day as well.

FORWARD THINKING: WEDNESDAY

• Diamondbacks at Marlins, 7:10 p.m. ET: Brandon Webb (9-0, 3.56 ERA) will attempt to become the first pitcher since Andy Hawkins in 1985 to begin a season by winning his first 10 starts. On the other hand, Ricky Nolasco (2-3, 5.18 ERA) has one win in the past month.

• Rays at A's, 3:35 p.m. ET: Opponents have done well when offering at the first pitch from Andy Sonnanstine (6-1, 4.53 ERA), hitting .400 against him on the first pitch. Dana Eveland (3-3, 3.23 ERA) hasn't permitted more than three runs in any of his past three starts, yet is 0-1 with two no-decisions.

• Mets at Braves, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN: Mike Pelfrey (2-4, 4.17 ERA) has given up just three runs in his past two starts. The problem is, the Mets have scored just one run for him in those two outings. Jair Jurrjens (4-3, 2.83 ERA) has done well getting out of jams. Opponents are hitting just .188 against him with runners in scoring position.

• Complete list of pitching probables for Wednesday's games