Orioles outsmart Yankees in decisive game, clinching series victory by a narrow 5-4 margin, despite Judge's bullet home run.
BALTIMORE (unofficial blog) - Ryan Mountcastle and Ramón Urías smashed home runs during Baltimore's impressive four-run second inning, securing a thrilling 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. Despite Aaron Judge delivering three more hits, the Orioles snatched two out of three games in this exciting AL East showdown, with the Yankees leading the division.
Judge started the scoring with a two-run homer in the first, then added a pair of singles to end April with an impressive .427 batting average. Yet, the plucky Orioles managed to pull off the win, overturning a defending champion team. Baltimore clinched victories in the opener and finale by a run each, while succumbing to a 15-3 defeat in the middle game.
Bryan Baker (2-0) emerged victorious in relief, with six Orioles' bullpen arms pitching throughout the game. Félix Bautista sealed the deal by throwing a perfect ninth for his fifth save, striking out Trent Grisham on a blistering 99.2 mph pitch, leaving Judge waiting on deck when the game ended.
Carlos Carrasco (2-2) surrendered four runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Mountcastle put an end to his 0-for-18 slump with a two-run homer that tied the game at 2, with Urías quickly following with a solo shot to give the hometown team the advantage. Adley Rutschman added an RBI single in the inning.
Paul Goldschmidt levelled the score again with a fifth-inning homer off starter Cade Povich, but an error by shortstop Anthony Volpe helped the Orioles load the bases with nobody out in the bottom half, reclaiming the two-run lead.
Tension flared in the fourth after Heston Kjerstad attempted to steal second. Pablo Reyes had to leap to catch the throw, landing awkwardly around Kjerstad's head and neck area. Players gathered around second base, but order was swiftly restored.
Game-Changing Moment
With a runner on second and one out in the seventh, Ramón Laureano pulled off a spectacular sliding catch in deep left-center field. Judge followed with an RBI single, but the Yankees could only manage one run in the inning.
Key Stat
Surprisingly, the Orioles have been outscored 46-14 over their last four home games, yet they grabbed victories in two of them.
What’s Next
The Yankees and Orioles both enjoy a rest day on Thursday. The Yankees welcome Tampa Bay with Max Fried (5-0) setting the pitching stage for Friday night’s game at home. The Orioles host Kansas City, with Dean Kremer (2-4) starting for Baltimore.
[1] Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles: Benches clear in heated game (ESPN, May 31, 2025)
[2] Baltimore Orioles confirm rookie Coby Mayo's suspension following interference incident (Baltimore Sun, June 1, 2025)
[3] Orioles rookie Coby Mayo suspended 8 games for potentially dangerous slide during game (Associated Press, June 2, 2025)
[4] Orioles learn to cope without suspended rookie Coby Mayo (CBS Sports, June 3, 2025)
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In the thrilling AL East showdown, the Baltimore Orioles managed to snatch two out of three games from the New York Yankees, with the MLB season showcasing exciting baseball action.
Even with Aaron Judge delivering consistent hits and leading the Yankees, the Orioles' offense stepped up, exemplified by Ramón Laureano's game-changing moment in the seventh inning, a dazzling sliding catch in deep left-center field.
