Overview
- The Yankees opened the series Friday with a 7-2 win that pushed them to an AL-best 21-11 and 11 wins in 13 games.
- Pete Alonso briefly tied it with a solo homer in his first Yankee Stadium game as an Oriole before José Caballero and Ben Rice homered in a four-run second that put New York in control.
- Will Warren moved to 4-0 by holding Baltimore to three hits over 6 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts, dropping his ERA to 2.39 for his third straight quality start.
- Warren’s run strengthens a starting group already rated among MLB’s best by ERA as Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón near returns that could tighten competition for rotation spots.
- Baltimore’s pitching picture stayed thin with Cade Povich filling in for injured Trevor Rogers and closer Ryan Helsley on the IL, as the clubs are set to meet seven times over the next two weeks.