Josh Donaldson hit his first home run since joining the Yankees, a tiebreaking two-run shot in the fifth inning that lifted New York to a 5-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night.
The Yankees broke through for four runs in the fifth, immediately after a 49-minute rain delay. Orioles reliever Mike Baumann had just entered the game when heavy rain — including some hail — forced the teams off the field. Travis Lakins (0-1) came on when play resumed, inheriting a one-on, one-out situation with the Orioles up 2-0.
Aaron Judge walked and Anthony Rizzo singled home a run. Giancarlo Stanton followed with a tying double to left-center, although Rizzo was thrown out at home on the play.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Michael King throws a pitch to the Baltimore Orioles during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
Donaldson, who came to the Yankees in a trade with Minnesota before the season, put New York ahead with a drive to right-center — a part of Camden Yards that was left unchanged when the wall in left was moved back and raised.
Cedric Mullins hit a two-run homer for the Orioles in the third. Jameson Taillon pitched 4 2/3 innings for New York, then JP Sears (1-0) came on and earned his first career win, working out of a fifth-inning jam by retiring Ramón Urías on a flyout with the bases loaded.
The Orioles also left the bases loaded in the sixth.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Anthony Bemboom, right, tags out New York Yankees' Isiah Kiner-Falefa trying to score on a fielder's choice ground ball by Aaron Hicks during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
The Yankees couldn't do anything against Baltimore's relievers in an 11-inning loss Friday night, but Saturday it was New York's bullpen that shined. Michael King followed Sears and pitched two scoreless innings. Clay Holmes got four straight outs for his first career save.
Baltimore starter Tyler Wells allowed three hits in four scoreless innings.
CROSSING THE BORDER
Baltimore Orioles' Cedric Mullins, bottom, reacts after hitting a two-run home run off New York Yankees starting pitcher Jameson Taillon, not visible, during the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Baltimore. Looking on are home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi, left, and New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino. Orioles' Austin Hays scored on the home run. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
The Yankees have a series at Toronto coming up May 2-4. Manager Aaron Boone was asked about unvaccinated players, and whether he expects to be without anyone then. “I'm not, but we'll see,” he said. “I don't have anything to say on it right now. I don't think it's going to be an issue.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: Manager Brandon Hyde said LHP John Means is not likely to pitch any time soon. His timetable is still unclear amid concerns about his elbow, but Hyde said it's not certain if Means will even pitch again this season. “He's still seeing some doctors. He's getting some second opinions,” Hyde said.
UP NEXT
The Orioles send Bruce Zimmermann to the mound for the series finale against New York lefty Nestor Cortes.
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