NEW YORK — Is a four-run deficit heading into the seventh inning, with Yankees left fielder Nestor Curtis (who always dominated the Orioles) still on the mound and cruising? Put that on the books as Baltimore’s loss in years past.
Not in early 2023, when O-games never run out – even against archenemies Curtis.
The Orioles improbably turned the script on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, amassing for eight runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Yankees, 9-6. It was Baltimore’s biggest home run in nine races during a 9-8 win over Kansas City on September 8, 2021.
Curtis (a former Orioles Rule 5 draft pick who entered the night with a 1.01 ERA in six career starts versus his old team) opened the seventh by walking Anthony Santander and allowing a leadoff single to Austin Hayes. Prior to that, the O’s had not had a runner reach second since the third inning.
Then Adam Frazier changed the game with one stroke. The veteran second baseman hit a three-run homer off the right field, cutting New York’s lead to 5-4 and ending Curtis’ night. The Baltimore Bats were just getting started.
Jimmy Cordero took over for the Yankees and immediately allowed back-to-back singles to James McCann and George Mateo. At that point, the Orioles sent left-handed Gunnar Henderson to the plate to tackle Cordero’s right-hander. Henderson came through with a ripping double to right field to give Baltimore a 6-5 advantage, their first lead of the night.
The O’s made three more runs in the seventh on a fly sack by Mount Castle and RBI singles by Anthony Santander and Hayes.