The Baltimore Orioles were able to salvage one game from their weekend series against the New York Yankees on Sunday, holding on to the top spot in the American League East going into the All-Star break.
Cedric Mullins walk-off two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning proved to be the difference in the Orioles' 6-5 win, capping off a wild ninth inning comeback.
The Yankees took a 5-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning when rookie first baseman Ben Rice clubbed a three-run home run to right center field off of Craig Kimbrel that looked to set the stage for a potential sweep.
But Yankees closer Clay Holmes was unable to slam the door shut thanks to a couple of defensive miscues behind him.
First, shortstop Anthony Volpe was unable to handle a routine ground ball with the bases loaded that would have ended the game with a force out at any base. That not only pushed a run across the plate to make it a one-run game, it kept the inning going for Mullins.
Volpe couldn't handle it and it's 5-4 Yanks pic.twitter.com/dnIz2SIRrr
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 14, 2024
Mullins hit what looked to be a routine fly ball to left field, only to have Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo get a bad read on it, start in and then slip and fall as he tried to go back. The ball fell harmlessly just out of his reach and allowed the tying and winning runs to score. If he gets a proper read on that ball, he probably catches it easily and the Yankees win.
Here is a look at that play.
No Escapin’ Him pic.twitter.com/hTtCnuQ0zF
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 14, 2024
With that win the Orioles go into the All-Star break with a 58-38 record, giving them a one-game lead over the 58-40 Yankees.
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