The New York Yankees are experiencing virtually no difficulties making contact and piling up big numbers against the Baltimore Orioles.
After a trio of blowout wins, the Yankees seek another productive showing at the plate Monday night when they host the Orioles in the finale of a four-game series.
The Yankees are 13-2 in their past 15 games after pulling away for an 11-3 rout on Sunday afternoon. New York has outscored the Orioles 27-9 in the series, has won the past eight meetings, is 11-1 over the past 12 encounters, and is attempting to complete a four-game sweep of Baltimore at home for the first time since Sept. 11-13, 2020.
During this series, the Yankees have collected 37 hits, 16 walks and gone 12-for-28 with runners in scoring position. New York blasted three more homers Sunday as Ben Rice homered in the first inning, Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the third and Jasson Dominguez started a seven-run eighth with a two-run homer.
Rice exited Sunday’s game with a bruised left hand after fielding a pickoff throw at first base from Max Fried in the third inning. Rice is day-to-day after X-rays were negative, and if he gets the game off, Paul Goldschmidt would start at first base after getting a two-run single in the big inning.
“We still got to finish the job tomorrow,” Rice said. “So, the team’s in a good spot. So, we just got to stay with it. Stay with it, it’s super early but of course we like where we’re at.”
The Orioles are getting outscored 38-14 during a four-game losing streak since hitting two grand slams in a 10-3 win over the Houston Astros in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday. Baltimore has dropped 12 of its past 18 games after its relievers conceded eight runs on Sunday.
After getting seven hits in the first two games, the Orioles finished with nine Sunday but eight of those hits were singles. Baltimore has 22 hits during its four-game skid while striking out 43 times in that span.
Gunnar Henderson was not in the Orioles’ lineup for the first time this season but is expected to return after being available as a pinch hitter Sunday. Pete Alonso went 2-for-4 on Sunday but Adley Rutschman is hitless in his past 12 at-bats.
“For me it’s at a crucial point where what team do you want to be?” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “We can fold up and just think everything will turn around just by itself or we’re going to put the work in and really make this happen. I feel like with those guys in the clubhouse, it’ll be the latter. These guys will put the work in.”
Cam Schlittler (4-1, 1.51 ERA), who is holding hitters to a .168 batting average, closes the series for the Yankees.
Schlittler is attempting to produce consecutive scoreless starts for the second time this season and third time since debuting July 9. Schlittler has allowed one earned run in his past 20 innings over his last three starts since allowing three runs apiece against the A’s and Tampa Bay on April 7 and 12.
Schlittler last pitched Tuesday when he outdueled Jacob deGrom by allowing three hits in six scoreless innings of a 3-2 win at Texas.
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 0.73 ERA in two starts against Baltimore.
Shane Baz (1-2, 4.50) pitches for the Orioles and is coming off his first win for his new team. Baz last pitched in Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the Houston Astros and allowed one run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings after allowing 11 runs over his previous three starts.
Baz is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
