Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the first inning, drove in four runs and reached base four times as the New York Yankees completed a four-game sweep of the visiting Baltimore Orioles by pulling away for a 12-1 victory on Monday night.
The Yankees won for the 14th time in 16 games after longtime radio announcer John Sterling passed away on Monday morning. Sterling called games for 36 years until retiring after the 2024 season and the Yankees conducted a moment of silence and laid a wreath at home plate before the game.
Judge gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead when he lifted a full count curveball from Shane Baz (1-3) into the New York bullpen in right-center. It was Judge’s major league-leading 14th homer and 11th in his past 21 games.
Judge also hit his eighth homer to give the Yankees a lead and his 53rd in 124 career games against the Orioles.
Judge’s latest homer helped the Yankees extend their winning streak over the Orioles to nine games. New York is also 12-1 in its past 13 contests against Baltimore.
Judge had a season-high four RBIs and hit a two-run single off Lou Trivino, who was making his debut for Baltimore.
New York’s Cam Schlittler (5-1) allowed one run on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked three, including a free pass to Colton Cowser for Baltimore’s lone run.
Cody Bellinger lifted a sacrifice fly in the third following an intentional walk to Judge and had a two-run triple in the eighth. Trent Grisham started the big inning with a bases-loaded walk and reached base four times.
Jasson Dominguez scored on a wild pitch by Baz and had an RBI single that gave the Yankees a 12-1 lead and prompted Baltimore to put infielder Weston Wilson on the mound.
Ryan McMahon hit an RBI single in the sixth that knocked out Baz and Jose Caballero capped the three-run inning with a double off Yennier Cano.
Jake Bird struck out Jeremiah Jackson with the bases loaded before the Yankees expanded their lead.
Baz allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out four and tied a career worst with five walks.
Baltimore lost its fifth straight and is getting outscored 50-15 during its losing streak. The Orioles also fell to 6-13 in their past 19 games.
