YANKEES DROP 3 OUT OF 4 TO ORIOLES

- April Claudio, Contributor

This past week, The New York Yankees dropped 3 out of 4 games to the Orioles, putting the Orioles on top of the American League East (temporarily) with a one game lead.

Game 1 saw Clarke Schmidt vs Grayson Rodriguez on the mound. Schmidt pitched 5.2 innings and only gave up one run, a home run to Gunnar Henderson in the first inning. Henderson is now the youngest player ever, to have 10 home runs before May 1st. The Orioles scored a second run in the 8th inning off a fielding error by Anthony Volpe. However, the Yankees were unable to score any runs on the few hits they had. The Orioles won 2-0. Rodriguez would end up going on the 15 day injured list two days later with a shoulder issue.

Game 2 saw Nestor Cortes vs Dean Kremer. Cortes gave up four runs in six innings while Kremer only gave up two runs in seven innings. The Yankees only runs were home runs by Juan Soto and Austin Wells. The Orioles won 4-2.

With Alex Verdugo out on paternity leave, Aaron Judge started in left field for Games 1 and 2; the first time he’s done so in his MLB career.

Game 3 was a pitching duel with Luis Gil vs Corbin Burnes. Gil had a great start with six shutting innings and only gave up 2 hits. Burnes also pitched six innings but gave up two runs on four hits, a two run home run by Oswaldo Cabrera. The Yankees won 2-0.

Game 4 was Carlos Rodon vs Kyle Bradish. Rodon got his second loss of the season with the Orioles winning 7-2. Rodon gave up six runs in four innings. Bradish in his first start of the season, also only pitched 4 innings but he only gave up one run. The Yankees only runs came from a single by Anthony Rizzo and a solo home run by Gleyber Torres, his first of the season. Ryan Mountcastle, Jordan Westburg and Jorge Mateo led the Orioles in hitting. Each one had 2 RBIs with Mountcastle and Mateo also having a home run each.

After this series, the Yankees hope to bounce back this weekend with a three game series against the Tigers. The Yankees will then get a much needed day off on Monday before the Astros roll into town.