Teixeira blasts Yankees past Orioles after Davis error Tue May 15, 2012 12:26am EDT (Reuters) - Mark Teixeira blasted a decisive two-run homer to help the New York Yankees beat the division-leading Baltimore Orioles 8-5 on Monday and close the gap in the standings. Teixeira delivered the winning swing in the seventh inning as the Yankees (20-15) seized on a costly sixth inning error by Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis to move one-and-a-half games back of the Orioles (22-14) in the American League East. Baltimore were ahead and looking good for victory before Davis failed to gather a ground ball that scored two New York runners and tied the game at 5-5 before Teixeira struck. The Yankees used five relievers after starter Ivan Nova surrendered five runs in five-and-one-third innings to secure their fourth win in five games. Baltimore's J.J. Hardy went two-for-five with three RBIs, helping the home team move ahead 2-0 in the first and added a two-run blast in the fifth for a 5-3 edge. Orioles starter Jason Hammel, pitching after missing his previous start to rest a sore knee, left in the sixth clinging to a 5-3 lead with the bases loaded and was charged with five runs. Alex Rodriguez recorded three hits and Curtis Granderson homered in the fifth to give the Yankees a brief 3-2 advantage.