The New York Yankees got a much needed sweep against the Baltimore Orioles this past weekend, finally looking like the team of old. The Orioles managed to put up just three runs all weekend against the Yankees overpowered pitching.
In the first game of a doubleheader on Friday, Gerrit Cole threw undoubetedly his best game as a member of the Yankees. He pitched a seven-inning complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits. The Yankees scored six runs off nine hits, led by Brett Gardner and Kyle Higashioka, each driving in a pair of runs.
Game two of the doubleheader saw the Yankees come out with even stronger offense. The team scored 10 runs, mainly courtesy of Luke Voit, the man responsible for six of the runs. Masahiro Tanaka pitched five innings of one-run ball, as the Yankees swept the doubleheader on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. The team sported slick NYPD and FDNY hats during the games.
Saturday’s game took an extra inning, but Luke Voit hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to beat the Orioles for the third time in a row. Clint Frazier was responsible for the other Yankee run, the team winning 2-1.
In Sunday’s finale, Tyler Wade hit a solo home-run early and Gleyber Torres hit a two-run, pinch-hit double to finish off the Orioles 3-1. JA Happ had the ball for the Yankees, pitching five innings of one-run ball. It was Happ’s fourth time in his last five outings with two or less runs allowed.
The Yankees are looking to build off the sweep to track down the Rays for the AL East. They are still a half game behind the Blue Jays for second place, but the two teams meet this week for a crucial three-game set in the Bronx.