Bronx, NY– Cedric Mullins ignited a dominant performance by the Baltimore Orioles with a two-run homer in the second inning, leading to a decisive 17-5 victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday afternoon in the Bronx.
The scorching heat didn’t deter the Orioles, who extended their impressive record against AL East rivals by winning their 22nd consecutive series, a new MLB benchmark per the Elias Sports Bureau. Baltimore’s relentless hitting and solid pitching have propelled them to a 5-2 record against the Yankees this season.
Manager Brandon Hyde praised his team’s offensive display, noting, “I’m really proud of how our guys swung the bats today. So many quality at-bats and hard-hit balls early in the game.”
Gunnar Henderson was instrumental in the Orioles’ offensive onslaught, reaching base four times and extending his on-base streak to 27 games, the longest active streak in the majors. His hitting streak also reached a career-high 13 games.
Ryan Mountcastle contributed significantly with a bases-clearing double and an RBI single, while Anthony Santander added a three-run homer, his 10th this month, highlighting Baltimore’s explosive offense.
Pitcher Luis Gil struggled for the Yankees, allowing seven runs in just 1 1/3 innings, marking a career-low outing. Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres provided brief sparks with home runs, but the Bombers failed to contain Baltimore’s offensive barrage.
The Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, acknowledged the Orioles’ dominance, stating, “They’ve had their way with us in these first couple of series.”
The Orioles’ victory, fueled by 19 hits, including several key extra-base hits, showcased their prowess in both hitting and capitalizing on defensive lapses by the Yankees.
Baltimore now stands just half a game behind the first-place Yankees, buoyed by their strong performance within the division this season.
“It’s clear we’re playing good baseball right now,” Hyde remarked, reflecting on the Orioles’ recent successes.
The Orioles’ next challenge will be to maintain their momentum as they continue to vie for the top spot in the AL East.
UP NEXT:
Orioles: Grayson Rodriguez (8-2, 3.20) opposes RHP Jake Bloss in the opener of a three-game series at Houston.
Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodón (9-3, 3.28) will go against Atlanta LHP Chris Sale (9-2, 2.98) in the opener of a three-game interleague series Friday in the Bronx.
