FINAL: Yankees 8 Orioles 6
WP: Loaisiga (1-0)
LP: Sulser (0-1)
SV: Britton (2)
It ended up being a long night in Baltimore with a 90 minute rain delay mid-way through tonight’s matchup between the Yankees and the Orioles, but at the end of the night, it was the Yankees coming out on top to sweet their two-game impromptu series against the Orioles in Baltimore.
The Yankees started off hot in the first. Giancarlo Stanton kicked things off with an RBI single in the first that scored Aaron Judge, who was hit by a pitch. Later in the inning, Luke Voit, with the bases loaded crushed a grand slam to give the Yankees a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the first.
JA Happ then took the mound for the Yankees and struggled a bit early. He walked his first batter and then gave up a two-run home run to Hanser Alberto that decreased the Yankees lead to 5-2.
Then in the bottom of the second inning, Happ gave up another two-run home run and the Yankees’ lead was decreased to 5-4.
Adam Ottavino replaced JA Happ in the fifth.
Happ’s final line: 4 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 2 HR
Ottavino’s final line: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
The bottom of the sixth is when the Yankees and Orioles were paused due to a rain delay that would end up being about 90 minutes long.
Coming out of the rain delay, it would be Jonathan Loaisiga to take the mound for the Yankees. He would pitch a scoreless sixth and seventh inning before giving up a 2-run home run to Severino in the bottom of the eighth that gave the Orioles a 6-5 lead over the Yankees.
Loaisiga’s (W, 1-2) (BS, 1) Final Line: 3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR
But then it would be Aaron Judge in the top of the ninth with a three-run home run to give the Yankees an 8-6 lead over the Orioles.
Zach Britton would come on to close the game for the Yankees, who would then go on to win this one by a score of 8-6.
Britton would get the save for the Yankees (S, 2). His final line: 1 IP, 2 SO. Tonight was also a historic night for Britton, who collected his 500th career strikeout.
Aaron Boone met with the media after the game.
When asked about his team’s chances in the 9th, Boone stated that of course he liked his team’s chances. He talked about the strong at bat by Gio Urshela to start the inning, following by DJ LaMehieu going the other way for a base hit, followed by the three-run home run by Aaron Judge. Boone stating that Judge got into a really good count and put a good charge into that pitch.
When asked about the Orioles’ bats tonight, Boone stated they made some really good pitches against the Yankees and that it was huge that the Yankees were able to break it open in the 9th.
Boone also talked about JA Happ’s struggles, stating he threw two bad pitches, with the first two hitters hitting him pretty hard with the base hit and home run. Boone went on to say that Happ settled in and that his stuff improved as the game went on. For the first outing of the year for Happ and on 8-days rest, Boone stated it took time to get rolling and that he though Happ improved and that his stuff picked up as the game moved on.
Boone stating that he never feels like his club is out of a ballgame in that their entire lineup is one that guys can bat well up and down and do damage. Boone stated he was proud of his team’s effort tonight and how well they stayed locked in through the rain delay to get the victory. Boone stating that though it was a long rain delay and not ideal under the COVID-situations, the players do their best to stay ready & is mindful of their distance during the break.
Gleyber Torres exited the game early tonight after being hit by a pitch in the first. Boone stated he wasn’t too concerned with what was diagnosed as a contusion on the elbow bone, but that Gleyber was pretty sore tonight and will be day to day, stating they’ll see how he feels tomorrow when he gets to the ballpark.
When asked how overall Boone would describe this road trip, Boone had one word: “2020ish.” He’s happy to have a 4-1 start to start the season and that under the conditions it was a good start the Yankees, who had to make adjustments and adapt on the fly. He stated his guys have a great frame of mind moving forward through this season.
Gleyber Torres also met with the media after the game. Gleyber stating that his elbow is sore, and felt really tight in the moment. As the game went on, he got tighter and couldn’t throw 100 percent, so decided to exit the game so he didn’t hurt his team with bad throws. When asked if he felt like he would be available for tomorrow’s home opener against the Red Sox, Gleyber stated he is going to see how the swelling is and how he feels tomorrow. Gleyber stating in the moment it was painful for sure for the first couple seconds. He stated he stayed in the game because he likes to compete, but that as it got tighter, he had to do what was best.
JA Happ followed up Torres in the Yankees’ Zoom room. When asked about why he seemed to struggle with command tonight, Happ stated he felt like he was rushing a little bit and was anxious after they got on the board early. He said it would’ve helped him stay in better counts if he get on his back leg a little better.
Happ stated he got off the mound on Tuesday night when they got into town, so he at least threw a little bit between outings, but that tonight he needed to get into the groove of the game. He stated he felt like he felt good coming in, but at times was in and out of that. He was getting cues that will help him as he comes set to hopefully keep his mind on those cues.
Aaron Judge was the final player to meet with the media tonight. When asked about his approach in the 9th inning, he said his mindset was to get the job done. He talked about the great at-bat by Gio Urshela and the great hit by DJ LaMehieu, who went the other way. He stated that seeing a good swing from LaMahieu locked him in and he ended up coming up big.
When asked what that moment was like, Judge stated every moment is special and that it’s big moments like that that are huge; Judge stating he was lucky to be in that spot and that with striking out the at-bat before that he knew he needed to come up big for his teammates.
Judge reiterated what Boone stated, in that the Yankees are never out of a game and that they always have a shot.
To Sum up the road trip, Judge stated that it was great to start playing baseball and to get things started. He stated a lot of things are going on in the world, but that the Yankees are excited to be playing baseball.
The Yankees head home tonight and tomorrow will play in their home opener against their Rival, Boston Red Sox. When asked if the Yankees were looking forward to getting home, Judge stated they are definitely looking forward to it and that obviously, the team loves playing in New York. Judge stating that it’s going to be different without fans, but that the introductions are still going to be special, but different without their Yankees’ fans. Judge also stated they’re looking forward to sleeping in their own beds.
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