Fastball

Pair of New York Yankees Blunders Help Baltimore Orioles Complete Comeback Victory

Anthony Volpe's bobble and Alex Verdugo's fall cost the New York Yankees a win on Sunday, as the Baltimore Orioles took advantage and walked it off in the ninth.
Sam Connon|
Jul 14, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins (31) reacts to a walk-off win with Jordan Westburg (11) and Colton Cowser (17) against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Jul 14, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins (31) reacts to a walk-off win with Jordan Westburg (11) and Colton Cowser (17) against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. | James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports

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Baltimore OriolesNew York Yankees

The Baltimore Orioles may have had the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, but momentum was hardly on their side.

All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel had just given up a go-ahead, three-run home run to New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice in the top of the frame. Even after he retired Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Alex Verdugo in order helped Kimbrel prevent any additional damage, Kimbrel had still blown a save and allowed New York to go up 5-3.

A single from Kyle Stowers and a walk from Ryan O'Hearn gave the Orioles a chance to erase that deficit, although Colton Cowser's groundout and Gunnar Henderson's strikeout put their backs up against the wall. After Adley Rutschman drew a walk, it was up to Ryan Mountcastle to keep Baltimore alive against the Yankees' own All-Star closer, Clay Holmes.

Down in the count 0-2, Mountcastle sent a soft ground ball up the middle, and shortstop Anthony Volpe was there to stop it. All Volpe needed to do was flip the ball to second for the game-ending force out, but he bobbled it. A run scored, and everyone was safe.

That brought Cedric Mullins to the plate. The veteran outfielder took the first pitch, then slapped a low sinker to the opposite field.

Verdugo, who was playing shallow, made a late brake to chase down Mullins' line drive. He stumbled twice and eventually fell to the ground as the ball sailed over his head.

Two Orioles came around to score, giving Baltimore the 6-5 walk-off win.

The result helped the Orioles avoid the sweep and retake their position atop the AL East. The Yankees, meanwhile, dropped to 4-8 in July as a result of the late-game blunders.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

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