Showing little effects from Tuesday’s Clinchmas celebration, the Baltimore Orioles defeated the New York Yankees 9-7 on Wednesday, denying for another day the Yankees the ability to clinch the AL East Division title.
The Orioles jumped out to a 7-1 lead after 4 innings and held an 8-3 lead after five. A Jordan Westburg (2 for 5, R, RBI) RBI-single allowed the Orioles 9th run to score in the eighth.
Matt Bowman was brought in to pitch the ninth and in a bend, don’t break moment allowed 4 runs on 4 hits with a strikeout. The big blow was an Aaron Judge three-run homerun. Keegan Akin (0.2 IP) finished out the ninth, earning his first save.
Zach Eflin started and got through 4.2 innings and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits (HR) with 5 walks and a strikeout. Jacob Webb (2-5) was credited with the win for his 1.1 IP, 2 H, K effort. Danny Coulombe (1.0 IP) and Gregory Soto (1.0 IP, 2 K) took care of the seventh and eighth innings respectively.
The Orioles offense started the game with six consecutive singles, a feat the franchise last accomplished in 1969, to establish an early 3 run lead. Colton Cowser (2 for 4, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB, SB) singled on a ball that Jasson Dominguez misplayed, knocking in two runs. Ryan Mountcastle (1 for 5, RBI) singled in the inning’s third run.
Gunnar Henderson (3 for 5, 2 R, 2 RBI) started the fourth inning scoring with a two-RBI single. Anthony Santander (2 for 5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI) doubled in a run as did Cowser.
James McCann (2 for 5, RBI) knocked in the team’s eighth run.
Cedric Mullins went 3 for 4 with a double, 3 runs scored, a walk and 2 stolen bases.
Overall, the entire Orioles starting lineup recorded at least one hit.
2024 Record: 88-70
Next Game: Thurs. 9/26 vs. Yankees @ 7:05 pm in the Bronx