BALTIMORE– Luis Gil outplayed Corbin Burnes, Oswaldo Cabrera hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 on Wednesday night.
Gil (2-1) allowed two hits and one walk over a career-high 6 1/3 innings in another low-scoring game between the AL East’s top two teams. Baltimore began this four-game series with 2-0 and 4-2 victories, but Gil’s performance helped the Yankees ensure they were not swept.
The game was significant enough that New York used closer Clay Holmes for the final five outs in its longest game of the season. He struck out Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman with doubles to end the eighth, then pitched a leadoff single in the ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances.
The teams are back in a virtual tie for first place, with the Orioles (19-11) percentage points ahead of New York (20-12).
Gil allowed five runs in five innings in his previous start in Milwaukee, but bounced back against a talented Baltimore lineup. He had five hits and never allowed anyone to get past first base.
Burnes (3-1) allowed two runs and four hits, striking out six with one walk in his first loss since being traded from Milwaukee to Baltimore last offseason. The only goal of the game came when Cabrera’s shot across the line in right field barely cleared the wall and remained fair. The home run was confirmed after a brief review.
Caleb Ferguson struck out his only two batters in the seventh after replacing Gil. Ian Hamilton started the eighth by drawing a walk and then hitting a batter. After Hamilton retired pinch-hitter Anthony Santander on a foul, Holmes came in to face the top of Baltimore’s order.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: Manager Aaron Boone said RHP Gerrit Cole (right elbow) had a “pretty heavy throwing day” on Tuesday but was not on the mound. “It looks like everything went well,” Boone said. … Boone said OF Alex Verdugo could be back Thursday after going on the paternity list.
Orioles: Baltimore placed RHP Grayson Rodriguez (right shoulder) on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Tuesday and activated LHP John Means (left forearm) from the IL.
NEXT
The Orioles have not announced a starter for Thursday’s series finale. LHP Carlos Rodón (2-1) takes the mound for the Yankees.
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