On a rain-soaked Friday night, the Yankees welcomed the Orioles for the final three-game set of the season. Baltimore proceeded to bop New York, even if it took a couple innings for their offense to settle in amidst wet conditions in the borough.
The Orioles offense was sparked by the long ball, which may sound like deja vu for a team that’s clubbed 250 home runs this season but don’t adjust your monitors.
Jonathan Schoop, Mark Trumbo and Adam Jones each socked home runs in the 8-1 defeat that the Yankees were handed. With the loss, the Yankees drop to 83-77 on the season. The Orioles meanwhile are 88-72 and are still in position to be playing beyond Sunday’s season finale.
Michael Pineda was often inconsistent and inefficient but still was able to strike out batters at a relatively high clip. That might sound familiar and like a case of deja vu too, but like with Baltimore’s home run-hitting abilities, trends trickled into Friday night for both sides.
Only three hits were able to be mustered up by the Yankee offense against Yovani Gallardo and the Orioles’ bullpen. Brian McCann picked up two of the three hits with the other coming off the bat of outfielder Aaron Hicks. No extra-base hits were recorded by the men in pinstripes.
The Play: Schoop puts the O’s on the board (+.230 WPA)
Interestingly enough, on a night where the long ball was the story, it was a double by Jonathan Schoop that made the biggest difference in the ballgame. Schoop gave the Orioles a lead they would not relinquish despite Mark Teixeira answering with a sac fly in the ensuing inning. A trio of home runs by Jones, Trumbo and Schoop would then put the Yankees away for good the following inning.
Notes
– The 250 home runs hit by the Orioles this season make them the fifth team in MLB history to hit at least 250. They accomplished the feat back in 1996, so they are the first team to do it twice.
– The Yankees went 0-for-7 with RISP. The Orioles, meanwhile, were 3-for-10. They left 11 on base, while the Yankees merely left eight.
– Jacoby Ellsbury recorded his 20th steal of the season. This marks the seventh season in his career that he has had at least 20 bags swiped.
The Highlight: Headley makes a snag
One of the lone highlights for the Yankees on Friday night was this pretty sweet grab by third baseman Chase Headley. We’ll give him some props for that one.
Up Next
The Yankees continue their quest to play spoilers against the likely playoff-bound Orioles on Saturday afternoon. Luis Severino (3-8, 5.75 ERA) will be on the mound for the Yankees while Wade Miley (9-13, 5.40 ERA) will oppose him for the O’s.
Photo: Adam Hunger / USA Today Sports