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NYY@BAL: Swisher launches a two-run shot to right

BALTIMORE -- Nick Swisher's red-hot bat helped support Freddy Garcia's return to the rotation as the Yankees defeated the Orioles, 3-2, on Monday at Camden Yards.

Swisher belted a two-run homer off Baltimore starter Alfredo Simon, the outfielder's sixth home run in seven games, and Garcia held the Orioles to a solo homer over six encouraging innings.

Making his first start since Aug. 7 due to a mishap that left his right index finger bandaged, necessitating a stint on the disabled list, Garcia looked like he didn't skip a beat in his time away.

Relying on his now-trademark array of offspeed pitches, Garcia kept the Orioles guessing in an 88-pitch outing, scattering two hits while walking one and striking out four.

New York got to Simon for three runs in seven innings, securing a split of a rain-shortened four-game series.

Mark Teixeira belted a first-inning double off the right-field wall, chasing home Curtis Granderson after a walk, and Swisher slugged his 21st home run in the fourth inning with Robinson Cano aboard.

Simon scattered four hits, issuing two walks and striking out six while tying his career high with 114 pitches.

Mark Reynolds connected for his 31st home run of the season off Garcia in the fifth inning, trimming New York's lead to two runs at the time, and J.J. Hardy's eighth-inning homer off Dave Robertson made it a one-run game.

Reynolds' home run was the first Garcia had allowed in 69 innings, establishing a new career high for the right-hander. His last homer allowed was to the Red Sox's Jacoby Ellsbury on June 7 at Yankee Stadium.

Robertson hadn't allowed a long ball since last Aug. 28, and it was the first run the right-hander had allowed away from Yankee Stadium this season.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @bryanhoch. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.