About Yesterday: Yankees 9, Orioles 0

On this day in 1996, Ruben Sierra homered from both sides of the plate, as the Yankees topped the Cleveland Indians 11-9. This was the Yanks' third win of what would be an improbable four-game sweep of the powerhouse defending American League champions in Cleveland. I remember that series, and thinking for the first time that year that this team could really end up being something special. Turned out I was right! https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE199606220.shtml Sierra was a bit of an enigma, a really good player at a young age, but was then mediocre after the Yankees acquired him in 1995. He later was dealt for Cecil Fielder, who was a crucial part of the epic 1996 postseason run. Sierra's career trajectory spiraled to the point where he was playing independent ball in 1999, but worked his way back to MLB, and was a useful player when he returned to the Yankees in 2003/2004. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sierrru01.shtml

Quick Stats: The Yankees are 44-32, in first place in the American League East, a game and half ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are on pace for 94 wins. Aaron Judge watch: Hitless in five plate appearances - two walks. Now slashing .367/.467/.731., leading MLB in all three categories. Big Story: The Yankees hit the ball early and often yesterday, scoring six runs in the first three innings. Trent Grisham, JC Escarra, and Ben Rice homered. Escarra also added a sacrifice fly and Oswald Peraza looped a two-run single to short right.

Starter Clarke Schmidt held the Orioles scoreless for the first three frames, with his only blemishes two first inning walks.

Schmidt then set down the Orioles in the fourth inning with no hits. Schmidt retired the Orioles in order in the fifth. Schmidt retired the Orioles in order in the sixth. Clarke Schmidt had a no-hitter going. All the while the Yanks kept piling on. Two runs in the fifth on an Anthony Volpe home run and Rice RBI triple. Escarra added to his fine day with an RBI single in the sixth. Schmidt then retired the Orioles in order in the seventh. He labored a bit, tossing 21 pitches and going to ball three twice. With 103 pitches, and two innings to go, we all knew that Schmidt wasn't going to get to go for the no-hitter, and he was taken out of the game in favor of JT Brubaker in his first Yankee appearance. Old friend Gary Sanchez led off the eighth with a single, and the no-no was over. Brubaker got out of the eighth unscathed, and set the O's down in order in the ninth. Yankees win 9-0. Player of the Game: Obviously Schmidt. He's really pitched well of late, allowing only six hits and zero runs over his last three starts, totaling 20.2 innings. Notable Performances: The bats showed up yesterday: Grisham and Volpe both had three hits, Escarra had two hits and three RBI, Rice two hits and two RBI....In his first MLB action since 2022, Brubaker tossed two scoreless innings...Pitchers have a 2.64 ERA when Escarra is behind the plate this season. Better to Forget: Judge was the only Yankee without a hit yesterday. They Said It: "When you're at the 103 (pitch) mark, and you have two more innings to go and you have 80 more games to go, you gotta to think bigger picture here." - Clarke Schmidt on leaving the game after seven no-hit innings. My Take: This was pretty darned close to as perfect a day as possible for the Yanks. I want to address the possible no-hitter. In the context of today's game, it was the exact right move for Aaron Boone to remove Clarke Schmidt after seven innings. In a 9-0 game, it was the correct move to bring in a pitcher who needed work like Brubaker. That being said, as our esteemed editor Paul stated yesterday, the game loses something by not having starting pitchers complete no-hitters, or even attempt to do so. The tension and excitement of no-hit games is unlike any other in sports, and I'm sad to see it for the most part go away. Clarke Schmidt now has 2.84 ERA on the year. Last year he had 2.85. He sure looks to have arrived as a solid starter. Should they add another to the trio of Fried, Rodon and Schmidt, along with perhaps bat who can preferably play third base, I could see the Yanks being real, real tough in the second half of the season. Could that pitcher be Luis Gil? The Yankee righthander and reigning AL Rookie of the Year faced live hitters in batting practice before the game and evidently looked and felt really good. Personally, I'd like to see the team deal for another starter and be pleasantly surprised if Gil returns to 2024 form. It's been a rough go of late, but with two solid wins in the past three games, I'm hopeful the Yankees are coming out of the slump. Next Up: Win the series! Will Warren (4-4, 4.83) takes the mound against Dean Kremer (6-7, 4.80). Hurry home from church today as the Yankees play the O's at 11:35 AM. The game is on Roku. I'm relatively knowledgeable of streaming services primarily due to my kids advising me, but I have no idea how to access Roku.