Yankees Don't Need No Stinkin' Close Fences

Sometimes, the Yankees bomb the other team out of the yard, as general manager Brian Cashman (and, apparently field manager Aaron Boone) would prefer. Sometimes, as The Godfather would say, they keep their friends close and their enemies closer. Last night, against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, was a night for the latter.

In top of the 1st inning, with 2 outs, Anthony Rizzo singled, and Josh Donaldson did the same. Gleyber Torres doubled to right, the opposite field, proving again that he doesn't need the former close left-field fence. Gallo scored on a wild pitch by starting pitcher Jordan Lyles. (Close fences? We don't need no stinkin' close fences!)

So the Yankees had a 3-0 lead before the Orioles even came to bat. That was all that Gerrit Cole needed, as he went 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and no walks, striking out 5. Rather than trust Aroldis Chapman, Boone let Clay Holmes pitch the last 2 innings.

Yankees 3, Orioles 2. WP: Cole (4-0). SV: Holmes (3). LP: Lyles (2-4). That's 4 wins in a row, 9 out of 10, and 21 of the last 24. The Yankees are 28-9, in 1st place, by 5 1/2 games over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The series with the Orioles concludes this afternoon, with Jordan Montgomery starting against Bruce Zimmerman. Given that last night was a night where the Yankees got only 3 runs and still won, Montgomery, who has gotten precious little run support, might be a bit jealous. I hope they support him today.