Last week, the Baltimore Orioles declared their presence in the AL East in dominant fashion, winning two out of three games against the New York Yankees. The young talents, supported by experienced veterans, led the Orioles to their big victory against the Bronx Bombers. The series win signaled that they are a more than formidable team within the extremely competitive division.
The New York Yankees managed to achieve a comeback victory in the series opener against the Orioles. The Orioles struck the Yankees fast putting up four runs within the first four innings. Their lead did not last long as the Yankees' offense fought hard throughout the game. Aaron Judge added an exclamation point to the Yankees rally as he hit a massive game-tying solo homerun to even the score 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth. In the bottom of the 10th inning, 22-year-old rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe capped off the game with a sacrifice fly to center field, sealing a 6-5 Yankees victory and his first walk-off RBI in the major leagues. In the post-game interview, Volpe was asked about Judge’s big home run in the ninth inning. “No one was surprised,” said Volpe. “Everything he does, he makes it look easy.”
In game two, the Yankees jumped on the Orioles early, scoring five runs in the first five innings. The 5-1 Yankees lead did not last long as Orioles' second baseman Adam Frazier clobbered a three-run home run to right field in the top of the seventh inning to cut the lead Yankees' lead to one. The top of the seventh inning continued to be a dreadful one for the Yankees as the surging Orioles took the 9-5 lead, scoring a whopping eight runs. The Orioles flexed their muscles, stunning the Yankees in their 9-6 victory. “We’re never out. Don’t count us out,” said Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson, who contributed to the victory with a clutch pinch-hit two-run double that put the Orioles in the lead following Frazier’s home run.
In the rubber match, the Yankees bats went silent in Thursday’s defeat managing only two hits over seven scoreless innings thrown by Baltimore Orioles 35-year-old veteran starting pitcher Kyle Gibson. Within those seven strong innings, Gibson walked four and struck out three batters. Anthony Santander, who had three hits including an RBI single, and Austin Hays, who hit a two-run double, were responsible for the Orioles’ offense in Thursday’s victory. The Orioles proved to the Yankees, as well as the rest of the American League East division that they are a force to be reckoned with. “I think we’re one of the best teams,” said Gibson. “We’re one of those juggernauts.”
With this series win, the Orioles have won four-straight series against their AL East Rivals for the first time since 2016. The Orioles currently sit in second place in the highly competitive AL East, holding a 33-17 record, the second-best in MLB. Fans have much to look forward to for the rest of the 2023 season, while the rest of the division has more than enough reason to be concerned about the soaring Orioles.