Sonny Gray, Sweeping the O's Away

The Yankees went down to Baltimore and began a weekend 4-game series against the Orioles, wearing those ridiculous uniforms as part of a ridiculous MLB promotion. At 37-90 going into the series, the worst record in the major leagues, the O's seemed like just what the struggling Yankees needed.

The Friday night game was tougher than expected. CC Sabathia allowed only 2 runs over 6 innings, but it was 2-0 Orioles after 3. But in the top of the 4th, Neil Walker singled, and rookie Luke Voit hit a home run to tie it up.

It remained tied into the 7th, when David Robertson gave up a home run to Jonathan Villar, making it 4-2 Baltimore. But Gleyber Torres got 2 runs home on an 8th inning single, Chad Green pitched a scoreless 9th, and the game went to extra innings.

With 1 out in the top of the 10th, Walker hit one out, Torres drew a walk, and Voit hit another home run. Aaron Boone sent Zach Britton out to close it down. For all the saves Britton had gotten for the O's against the Yanks, it was nice to see the tables turned. But he almost blew it, giving up a 2-run homer to Chris Davis. But he settled down, and ended it.

Yankees 7, Orioles 5. WP: Green (7-2). SV: Britton (5). LP: Cody Carroll (0-2).

Due to a rainout earlier in the season, Saturday featured a day-night, separate-admissions doubleheader. The Yankees fell behind 2-1 after 2 innings in the opener, and then unloaded the lumber. They scored 4 runs in the 3rd, including a 3-run homer by Miguel Andujar. Brett Gardner added a home run in the 4th, and Luke Voit an RBI single in the 6th.

That was all J.A. Happ needed, and Luis Cessa pitched 3 innings, so he got the save in spite of the final margin of victory, which was boosted by homers by Torres and Aaron Hicks.

Yankees 10, Orioles 3. WP: Happ (15-6). SV: Cessa (1). LP: Jimmy Yacabonis (0-2).

Sonny Gray, bless his heart, usually pitches well at Camden Yards. Or, as the composers of the Sesame Street theme might have said, "Sonny Gray, sweeping the... O's away." He pitched into the 7th inning of the nightcap, allowing no runs on 3 hits and 1 walk, with 7 strikeouts. He was aided by a home run by Austin Romine.

Yankees 5, Orioles 1. WP: Gray (10-8). SV: Dellin Betances (1). LP: Andrew Cashner (4-12).

Of course, the sweep wasn't yet complete. On Sunday, the Yankees scored 2 in the 2nd inning, on a home run by Luke Voit, and 2 more in the 3rd. That was all that Luis Severino needed, as he pitched into the 6th, and got 3 1/rd innings of scoreless relief from Green, Britton and Robertson.

Yankees 5, Orioles 3. WP: Severino (17-6). SV: David Roberts (4). L: Dylan Bundy (7-13).

With 4 weeks left in the regular season, the Yankees are 6 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League Eastern Division, 5 in the all-important loss column. It doesn't look good. We're in the driver's seat for home-field advantage in the AL Wild Card Game, but the winner will almost certainly face the Red Sox in the AL Division Series, with the Sox having home-field advantage.

Winning the Division should have been made a priority. It wasn't, and even a 4-game sweep on the road didn't help the Yankees much.