The Orioles pulled off a thrilling comeback against the Yankees on Sunday, winning 6-5 in the series finale.
This victory helped the Orioles avoid a home sweep and stay on top of the American League East standings. The series was intense, highlighted by a near-fight after Kjerstad got hit in the head by a pitch and Judge’s 34th home run of the season.
In the ninth inning, with no lead until then, Baltimore called on Kimbrel to protect their one-run advantage. Grisham and Cabrera walked, bringing rookie Ben Rice to bat.
Ben Rice gives the @Yankees the lead in the 9th 😱
— MLB (@MLB)
Rice smashed his sixth homer of the season in just his 24th game, flipping the script temporarily. Kimbrel managed to close out the inning but not before giving up a two-run lead for a 5-3 Yankees advantage.
Bottom of the Ninth Drama:
Holmes took over for New York but struggled from the start. He put runners on base with one out and loaded them with two outs after striking out Henderson controversially. Then things fell apart for New York’s defense at just the wrong moment.
Cowser hit what seemed like an easy grounder to shortstop Volpe, but Volpe fumbled it off his glove’s heel. This error cut New York’s lead to 5-4 while keeping bases loaded.
https://streamable.com/m/colton-cowser-scores-on-fielders-choice?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share
Mullins stepped up next and managed to scoop Holmes’ low sinker into left field where Verdugo misread it initially and couldn’t recover:
WHAT AN ENDING!!
THE @ORIOLES WALK IT OFF!
— MLB (@MLB)
Mullins’ double led to Baltimore walking it off dramatically! Fans might think this win was an emotional rollercoaster.
The win-expectancy chart shows how wild Sunday’s game was:
wheeeee!
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports)
Yankees manager Boone expressed frustration post-game: “That’s a killer… It’s been rough weeks here… feel like we’re competing our asses off.”
Baltimore snapped their six-game home losing streak, moving up to 58-38 this season while dropping Yankees down to 58-40. This loss cost New York sole possession of first place in AL East since June 26; now they’re trailing by one game instead.
These two teams will clash again only once more during regular season – another three-game series set for Sept. 24-26 in Bronx.
What do you think about this crazy ending?
