Orioles Gift Yankees 3–2 Win
Error scores two, Cole and Holmes close the door
A win is a win, no matter how pretty or ugly it is.
The New York Yankees can thank the Baltimore Orioles for their 3–2 win Wednesday night.
An error in the first inning scored two runs, capping off a three-run inning.
That was all they needed thanks to the pitching by Gerrit Cole and Clay Holmes.
Yesterday it was questioned whether or not Chapman should be the closer. He got the save yesterday but just barely escaped trouble.
Holmes relieved Cole to pitch the final two innings and was dominant, striking out one in 23 pitches to pick up his third save of the year.
“Anytime you get a chance to help your team win no matter what the opportunity is it’s always fun,” Holmes said.
“Glad to be able to close that one out to get another win for us.”
Holmes currently has the longest scoreless streak in the majors and was key to another Yankee victory.
Game summary
All the Yankee damage came in the first inning with two outs.
Gleyber Torres put the first run on the board with an RBI double.
A wild pitch scored Donaldson from first, and a bad toss by catcher Anthony Bemboom allowed Torres to score.
Baltimore cut the lead to 3–2 in the sixth on an Austin Hays RBI double and a Trey Mancini fielder’s choice to score Hays.
Cole (4–0) went seven strong innings throwing 96 pitches, allowing two runs on six hits, and striking out five. He picked up his fourth win this year.
Holmes closed out the game by pitching two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, and picking up the save.
Offensive notes
After a 3–0 first inning, many thought this game was going to turn into a blowout.
It didn’t and those three runs were all the Yankees were able to score, but it was enough.
Torres continues to get more comfortable, and Donaldson stays hot with another multi-hit game.
Joey Gallo struck out three times, surprise surprise.
This is a versatile bunch. They can score in bunches and win, or score little and win thanks to pitching and defense.
At the end of the day, this group is 28–9 and playing the best baseball in the majors.
Pitching/Defensive notes
Cole and Homes were enough to get the victory tonight, and they got some help from the defense.
Marwin Gonzalez, a utility infielder, played right field tonight and made a nice sliding grab to steal an out in the second inning.
Anthony Rizzo made a couple of nice scoops at first, which he’s been doing all year.
He also snared a line drive and turned it into a double play to get Holmes out of the eighth inning.
The Yankees focused on defense this offseason, and the returns early in the season are outstanding.
Everyone is making plays and in turn, it’s helping the starting rotation out.
Looking ahead
The Yankees will go for the four-game sweep tomorrow afternoon, sending Jordan Montgomery (0–1, 3.06 ERA) to the mound. The Orioles will send Bruce Zimmerman (2–2, 2.73 ERA).
First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. EST.
The Yankees will look to make it 22 of 25 and move to 29–9.
Let’s go Yankees!
