The New York Yankees blew an opportunity in ugly fashion on Sunday, with two defensive errors leading to three runs by the Baltimore Orioles in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel had blown a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning and it looked like the Yankees would sweep them to end the first half of the season. Baltimore loaded the bases in the ninth inning, but that happened with two outs, so it wasn’t a guaranteed comeback.
Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle then hit a routine ground ball right to Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. All Volpe had to do was make a clean catch and push it to second to end the game, but things went awry.
“Rotball to Volpe and the Yankees will sweep the Orioles and head to the All-Star break in the First Division…”
Oh no…. @TabureteBaseball image.twitter.com/BG2qdfECcO
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 14, 2024
That made it a 5-4 game, but worse was yet to come. One batter later, Cedric Mullins hit a walk-off double on a fly ball that was horribly misplayed by left fielder Alex Verdugo.
CEDRIC MULLINS IS LEAVING THE GAME, WHAT A GAME! image.twitter.com/tbLQScZYNR
— Talking about baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 14, 2024
Verdugo would likely come in and catch the ball if he read the ball better off the bat. Instead, he started and couldn’t get it back. That’s not considered an error, but it’s a crucial missed play that helped cost the Yankees the game.
The Yankees and Orioles have developed quite the rivalry this season as they both compete for the American League East. In fact, Verdugo has been in the middle of that rivalry, so this will likely feel pretty good from Baltimore’s perspective.
The Orioles had lost five straight games entering Sunday’s game. Their comeback ensures they will remain in first place in the American League East through the All-Star break.
