Orioles Crush Yankees: An Unstoppable Force
Amid scorching 90-degree heat, Cedric Mullins ignited a six-run second inning with a two-run homer, propelling the Baltimore Orioles to a 17-5 demolition of the New York Yankees on Thursday. Rookie pitcher Luis Gil was knocked out early as the Orioles extended their dominance, remaining unbeaten in 22 straight series against American League East opponents, setting a major league record. This triumph also marked the Orioles’ second-highest road game run total against the Yankees, a feat paralleled only by their 1986 performance in the Bronx.
Manager Brandon Hyde lauded the team’s energy and effectiveness, particularly their hard-hit balls early in the game. This victory bolstered Baltimore’s standing to 5-2 against New York this season, and their record since the start of the previous season now stands at an impressive 51-27 against AL East rivals. Gunnar Henderson played a key role, getting on base four times, including two doubles, extending his on-base streak to 27 games and his hitting streak to 13 games. Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander also made significant contributions, with Mountcastle having a bases-clearing double and Santander hitting his MLB-best 10th home run this month.
Yankees Struggle to Contain Orioles’ Onslaught
Gleyber Torres managed a solo home run before exiting with a groin injury, and Aaron Judge hit his league-leading 27th homer, a two-run shot, followed by an RBI single, providing some offensive response. However, these efforts were insufficient to counter Baltimore’s relentless assault. Orioles starter Cole Irvin allowed five runs and five hits over 4⅔ innings before being relieved by Bryan Baker, who was credited with the win. Meanwhile, Gil’s short outing disrupted New York’s streak of 76 consecutive starts of at least four innings, a streak that was the seventh longest in baseball and the longest in the American League since 2006.
The Orioles’ lineup showcased its depth and potency. Ryan O’Hearn contributed with a two-strike RBI single and later a double, driving in four runs overall. Austin Hays joined the onslaught with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, further cementing Baltimore’s lead. The Orioles amassed 19 hits, marking their highest tally since the 2021 drubbing of Cleveland.
Injury Updates and Future Matchups
The Yankees face additional challenges with the absence of promising outfielder Jasson Domínguez, who will be sidelined for at least eight weeks due to a strained left oblique. His setback comes after an injury during a Triple-A game. On the Orioles’ side, Colton Cowser was rested following a hit to his elbow pad, while Jordan Westburg returned to action after dealing with hip discomfort.
As the Orioles head to Houston, Grayson Rodriguez will take the mound against Jake Bloss in what promises to be an exciting series opener. Meanwhile, the Yankees will look to bounce back as they prepare to face the Atlanta Braves, with Carlos Rodón set to oppose Chris Sale in a three-game interleague series.
