BALTIMORE—The Orioles were about to lose their 100th game, and then they caught a break. Two wild pitches by New York Yankees pitcher Clay Holmes in the bottom of the ninth sent the game into extra innings, and the Orioles didn’t waste the opportunity.
In the bottom of the 10th, after reliever Cole Sulser had shut down the Yankees for a second inning, a perfectly placed bunt by Richie Martin set up Austin Hays’ bases-loaded single to give the Orioles a 3-2 win over the Yankees before an announced crowd of 20,164 — many of whom had come for a postgame concert featuring the Avett Brothers — at Camden Yards.
In the bottom of the ninth, DJ Stewart singled with one out. Kelvin Gutiérrez pinch-ran for him, moved to second on a wild pitch by Holmes, to third on Pat Valaika’s grounder to third and scored on another Holmes’ wild pitch. Catcher Austin Wynns struck out for the fourth time to force extra innings.
In the bottom of the 10th, Jahmai Jones ran for Wynns as the automatic runner at second. With New York first baseman Anthony Rizzo playing about 40 feet from home, Martin dropped a bunt down the third base line for a single.
Before his at-bat, manager Brandon Hyde told Martin what the left-handed Rizzo would do, and that he likes to throw to third in that situation. Hyde was a coach when Rizzo played for the Chicago Cubs.
“I don’t think anybody realizes how hard of a bunt that is because of Rizzo,” Hyde said. “Huge play by Richie, and a great bunt.”
Cedric Mullins was intentionally walked by Wandy Peralta (5-4). Ryan Mountcastle chased a pitch out of the strike zone for the first out. Peralta went to 3-and-0 on Hays before getting a strike on a changeup. Hays thought Peralta might throw a second one and singled to left to score Jones.
The win ended a five-game losing streak for the Orioles (47-99). They had let the previous night’s game get away in the ninth when the Yankees scored twice after the Orioles had taken a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth.
“Last night hurts, but we’re playing against a team that’s very, very talented and has high expectations, and for us to play back-to-back games, playing toe-to-toe with these guys here for the last two nights, I’m very proud of that,” Hyde said.
Mountcastle set Orioles history with his 29th home run, passing Cal Ripken Jr. for most homers by an Orioles rookie.
“I would never have thought I would have done it, to be honest,” Mountcastle said.
He said his family were mostly Oriole fans because of Ripken.
“It’s pretty crazy to be in the same company as him,” Mountcastle said.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment for a young player anytime you’re passing a player like Cal Ripken Jr.,” Hyde said. “Ryan’s had a special season, a great rookie year.”
Chris Ellis, who allowed just one hit in five innings to the Yankees on September 4th, had a rockier start this time. In 4 2/3 innings, he allowed two runs on three hits, walking four and striking out three.
Joey Gallo hit 35th home run with one out in the second. After walks to Gary Sánchez and Tyler Wade, Gio Urshela’s double scored Sánchez to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.
Fernando Abad replaced Ellis with Stanton on first and two outs in the fifth. Rizzo doubled against Abad, sending Stanton to third. Gleyber Torres was walked intentionally to load the bases before Gallo flied to center.
Sulser (5-4), Fernando Abad, Dillon Tate and Conner Greene combined for 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
Jordan Montgomery struck out 12 Orioles in 5 2/3 innings, allowing only Mountcastle’s home run to lead off the sixth, on six hits.
The Orioles, who struck out 16 times in Wednesday night’s loss, equaled their season-high with 17 strikeouts in 10 innings. They struck out 45 times in the three-game series.
Notes: Right-handed pitcher Brooks Kriske was acquired on waivers from the Yankees. Kriske was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He was 1-1 with a 15.09 ERA in 12 games for New York in 2020 and 2021. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles transferred right-hander Jorge López from the 10-day to 60-day injured list. López has a sprained right ankle. … The Orioles begin a three-game series at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. Keegan Akin (2-9, 6.83 ERA) will start for the Orioles. Boston has yet to name its starter. Zac Lowther (0-2, 9.92) and Nick Pivetta (9-7, 4.55) are scheduled to pitch Saturday. Alexander Wells (1-3, 7.76) will pitch Sunday… Triple-A Norfolk catcher Nick Ciuffo will be on the taxi squad for the road trip. …Trey Mancini (sore oblique) and Pedro Severino (upper leg/groin) sat out for the second straight game. … After the game, the Orioles optioned Jones to Triple-A Norfolk.
Hyde on losing: Before the game, Hyde was asked about losing 100 games.
“Every loss hurts,” Hyde said. “Hopefully soon we’re going to turn this around and not have 100-loss seasons. It’s tough to stomach. It’s hard to go through. Throwing last year out, ’19 and ’21 have been extremely challenging. It’s hard on everyone. Whether it’s loss 90 or loss 100 or loss 105, it’s a bad feeling.”
Minor league update: Cody Sedlock allowed nine runs, seven earned, on eight hits in two innings as Norfolk lost to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, 10-3. Sedlock (1-3), the Orioles’ top selection in the 2016 draft, walked four and struck out three.
Designated hitter Kyle Stowers hit a two-run home run, his third, and third baseman Tyler Nevin hit his 15th.
Shortstop Jordan Westburg had two hits as Double-A Bowie saw its 10-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 loss to Altoona. Garrett Stallings (2-3) allowed three runs on two hits in five innings.
Bowie second baseman Terrin Vavra has been placed on the injured list because of a hip injury.
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