NEW YORK (AP) — Cedric Mullins hit a two-run homer to spark a six-run second inning, Gunnar Henderson reached base four times and the Baltimore Orioles knocked out rookie pitcher Luis Gil early in a 17-5 rout of the New York Yankees on Thursday.
On a 90-degree day, the Orioles improved to 5-2 against the Yankees and set a major league record by winning their 22nd straight series against an AL East opponent. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Orioles surpassed the mark set by the Atlanta Braves (1998-2000), Milwaukee Brewers (1991-92) and Cincinnati Reds (1975, 1969-1970).
“Really proud of how our guys went in this series, the way we came out and swung the bats today, that was incredible,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. “So many hard-hit balls there early, just really, really good at-bats.
Baltimore also improved to 19-7 against the AL East this season and 51-27 since the start of last season
“I don’t know what kind of statement we’re making,” Hyde said. “I know teams think we’re a good team and our record shows it and the way we’ve been playing against our division and how we’ve been playing baseball in the last couple of years.”
Henderson doubled twice among his three hits to extend the majors’ longest active on-base streak to 27 games and his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games. He also added an RBI groundout in the sixth.
“It was awesome,” Henderson said.
Ryan Mountcastle had a bases-clearing double and an RBI single in the ninth off New York catcher Jose Trevino. Anthony Santander hit a three-run homer for his MLB-best 10th homer this month as the Orioles moved to within a half-game of first-place New York.
Ryan O’Hearn added an RBI double and drove in four runs, while Austin Hays hit a two-run homer in the seventh as the Orioles collected 19 hits and scored their most runs since an 18-5 win at Cleveland on June 6, 2021.
Baltimore also scored its second-most runs in the Bronx. The Orioles scored 18 in a nine-run win on June 8, 1986.
“I’m really proud of our guys not buying into too much that comes from outside noise and things like that,” O’Hearn said.
Gleyber Torres hit a solo homer before exiting with a groin injury and Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 27th homer by lining a two-run shot in the third off Baltimore starter Cole Irvin. Judge also had an RBI single in his return from a one-game absence after getting hit on the left hand in New York’s 4-2 win on Tuesday.
The Yankees lost for the fifth time in seven games and allowed their most runs since a 19-5 loss to Cleveland on Aug. 15, 2019. New York also
“They’re about as formidable as there is and the first couple of series they’ve had their way with us,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “They’ve had the upper hand.”
Irvin allowed five runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Bryan Baker (1-0) relieved him and was credited with the win.
Gil allowed seven runs and eight hits in a career-low 1 1/3 innings.
“They got after him today and didn’t miss some heaters in the center of the plate,” Boone said. “That’s been uncommon.”
Henderson opened the game with a double over right fielder Juan Soto’s head and scored on O’Hearn’s two-strike single. Mullins blasted a slider into the right field seats for a 3-0 lead and Mountcastle chopped a double past third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera down the left field line for a 6-0 lead.
After Torres and Judge connected, Santander went deep in the fifth off Tim Hill, who signed with the Yankees before the game.
Gil’s short outing ended New York’s streak of 76 straight starts of at least four innings to start the season. It was the seventh-longest streak in baseball and the longest in the American League since the White Sox did it in the first 89 games of 2006.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Orioles: OF Colton Cowser did not start after being plunked on the elbow pad Wednesday. … 3B Jordan Westburg went 2 for 5 after sitting out Wednesday because of left hip discomfort.
Yankees: OF Jasson Domínguez will miss at least eight weeks with a strained left oblique. He was injured on a check swing during a game for Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre on Saturday.
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) faces Atlanta LHP Chris Sale (9-2, 2.98) in the opener of a three-game interleague series Friday in the Bronx.
GUARDIANS 6, MARINERS 3
CLEVELAND (AP) — Andrés Giménez hit a two-run homer and Will Brennan had a pair of solo shots, lifting the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians to a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.
Gimenez’s blast to right-center off Luis Castillo (6-8) provided the go-ahead run in the fifth inning, when Cleveland scored three times to take a 5-3 lead. Josh Naylor added an RBI double as the Guardians took two of three in the series.
“When they’re hitting like that — in their ballpark — it’s going to be tough to beat them,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Every inning is a battle. They’re scrappy and they just keep coming.”
Brennan went deep against Castillo in the second and Trent Thornton in the eighth for his first multi-homer game. He also doubled in amassing a career-high 10 total bases.
Logan Allen (8-3) pitched six innings, giving up three runs, in winning his second straight start. Emmanuel Clase earned his 22nd save with a perfect ninth for Cleveland, which has the second-best home record in the majors at 23-9.
“That’s the resilience of this group, we just stay in it,” Allen said. “It’s kind of a cat-and-mouse game. Taking the series against a first-place team — a team you hope to see down the road in the playoffs — is big.”
Dylan Moore hit a two-run homer in the first and Ryan Bliss had an RBI double in the fourth for AL West leader Seattle. The Mariners lost for just the sixth time in 19 games since May 31.
Castillo allowed a season-high tying five runs in five innings, falling to 1-5 in his career against Cleveland.
“Good things happen when you swing at strikes,” Brennan said. “We do really well at home and I can’t wait for the Cleveland fans to keep showing out.”
Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan went 1 for 3, dropping his batting average to .396 and he extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
He is batting an MLB-high .500 since May 31, but is 14 plate appearances shy of qualifying for the league leaders.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: Right-hander Bryan Woo (right elbow soreness) reported no issues after pitching four innings and allowing three runs Wednesday against Cleveland. Woo had his previous start skipped because of discomfort in his surgically repaired elbow.
Guardians: Right-hander Gavin Williams (right elbow inflammation) will make his next rehab start Friday for Double-A Akron. Williams, who has been on the injured list all season, had a 7.88 ERA in his first four rehab outings for Triple-A Columbus.
UP NEXT
Mariners: Right-hander George Kirby (6-5, 3.54 ERA) takes the hill Friday as Seattle continues its nine-game trip in Miami. Kirby tossed six scoreless innings and gained the win in his lone career appearance against the Marlins on June 13, 2023.
Guardians: Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (2-6, 5.80 ERA) works the opener of a three-game home series Friday against Toronto. The 14-year veteran is 0-5 with a 5.96 ERA in six starts since his most recent victory on May 5 against the Los Angeles Angels.