by Derek McAdam
July 4, 2023
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After trailing 3-2 going into the 7th inning, the Yankees were able to rally and defeat the Orioles in the first of a four-game series by a 6-3 score, and were able to improve to 47-38.
Quick Stats: Domingo German: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R (2 ER), 5 K
Bullpen: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 6 K
Bottom of Lineup: 6-for-10, 2 HR, 3 R
The Big Story: The Yankees were fresh off a frustrating series loss in St. Louis, and were looking to get off to a good start on their final homestand before the All-Star Break. The Orioles got on the board in the 2nd, when Cedric Mullins drove in Ryan O’Hearn with an RBI single. The following inning, Adley Rutschman hit an RBI double to score Gunnar Henderson, while O’Hearn followed up with an RBI single to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead.
While the Yankees got off to a slow start in the first few innings, Anthony Volpe put the Yankees on the board with a solo home run in the 5th. Kyle Higashioka was the next batter, and followed up Volpe’s home run with one of his own, cutting the Orioles’ lead to 3-2.
The Yankees began the 7th with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Volpe both getting on base with singles, before Higashioka was able to bunt the pair over one base each. Kiner-Falefa would be tagged out going home, but Volpe would score on a wild pitch, tying the game at 3-3.
In the 8th, Giancarlo Stanton ripped a single into centerfield. This was followed by a single from Anthony Rizzo. Harrison Bader then hit a three-run home run to left to give the Yankees a 6-3 lead, coming all the way back from a 3-0 deficit. Clay Holmes would come in to close the game out, and did so with no problem at all.
Player of the Game: Bader had the big hit for the Yankees, so he is absolutely deserving of the award.
Notable Performances: There are several players that I am going to mention, all for good reasons. First, the bottom three of Kiner-Falefa, Volpe, and Higashioka all did a great job, each of whom had a multi-hit night and giving the Yankees several opportunities to score, although there were a couple of base running mistakes. The second group is the bullpen. Nick Ramirez, Ian Hamilton, Tommy Kahnle, and Clay Holmes each came in and pitched a scoreless outing to keep the Yankees in it. The best bullpen in the league, statistically, showed last night exactly why they are the best. Stanton also had a multi-hit night, and got the Yankees off to a crucial start in the 8th.
Better to Forget: It’s probably a start that German wants to forget. While he only allowed three runs to cross, the Orioles were constantly on base and causing him to pitch from the stretch.
My Take: WOW! WOW! WOW! This was a game for the Yankees that started on a downhill trajectory, but quickly took a different turn when Volpe hit his home run. When Higashioka hit one right after Volpe, I had a feeling that something good was going to happen. The crowd was all of a sudden into it, and they did not let up for the remainder of the game.
Last night’s win was the exact example of a team effort. No one individual was taking control of the game, but several key players were involved, even on both sides of the ball. The bullpen looks fantastic, especially Kahnle and Holmes. As far back as I can remember, I can’t recall seeing either one pitch better than they currently are, at least in a Yankee uniform.
But the offense is getting some production from other players besides the sluggers. Volpe has an eight-game hitting streak, having multiple hits in six of those games. Kiner-Falefa is starting to get on base frequently, and Stanton is even getting some productive hits in.
The statistics speak for themselves, but when Stanton plays the field, he looks much better at the plate. He tends to get ahead in the counts, which is where he does most of his damage. Not only that, but he tends to stay healthy when he’s in the field. Hopefully, the Yankees keep them there as often as possible.
But let’s discuss Bader’s home run. It was an absolute no-doubter as soon as it made contact with his bat, and Yankee Stadium was absolutely electric. The stadium held its first fireworks show ever after the game, but the fans were treated early with Bader’s home run in the 8th.
Overall, this was a great win, and hopefully the Yankees can follow up last night’s game with another solid performance today.
What’s Next?: The Yankees will play a day game for July 4, with a 1:05 p.m. starting time. Kyle Gibson is scheduled to start for the Orioles, while Clarke Schmidt is expected to start for the Yankees.
To our entire audience, have a safe and wonderful 4th of July!
