When Supporting Jordan Montgomery Is Not Enough

All good things must come to an end. And it's good that the Baltimore Orioles showed a little pride in the finale of the Yankees' 4-game visit.

Jordan Montgomery started the game for the Yankees. For once, he got what should have been enough run support. He went 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits -- but no walks. He left with the Yankees leading 5-3, on a Giancarlo Stanton single that brought home 2 runs in the 1st inning, a leadoff home run from Stanton in the 4th, and a 2-run single by Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the 6th.

All season long, the Yankees' biggest strength has been the bullpen. Not yesterday afternoon, it wasn't. Miguel Castro faced 3 batters, and couldn't get an out. Chad Green added to that, and blew the lead.

The Yankees took the lead back in the top of the 9th, on a leadoff walk and a stolen base by IKF, and a single by DJ LeMahieu. But in the bottom of the 9th, instead of Aroldis Chapman, manager Aaron Boone trusted Lucas Luetge to close it out. Josh Donaldson began the inning with an error at 3rd base, and then Luetge got a strikeout, allowed a single, and gave up a walkoff home run to Anthony Santander, his 3rd homer against the Yankees in the last 2 weeks.

Orioles 9, Yankees 6. WP: Felix Bautista (1-1). No save. LP: Luetge (1-1). This time, giving Montgomery the run support he needed wasn't enough.

Tonight, the Yankees come home, to begin a series against the Chicago White Sox. They still have the best record in baseball, and remain in 1st place in the American League Eastern Division, 5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Magic Number to clinch the AL East is 120.