Barring a stunning collapse, chances are the Yankees will still wrap up the American League East at some point over the final four days of the regular season.
But Wednesday was an ugly pitstop on the way there.
The bad news started hours before first pitch, when Nestor Cortes was scratched and placed on the injured list with a left elbow flexor strain that jeopardizes his availability for the postseason.
Then his replacement, Marcus Stroman, gave up six straight singles to lead off the game — including a key defensive miscue from left fielder Jasson Dominguez — and it didn’t get much better from there as the Yankees dropped a second straight game to the Orioles, 9-7, in front of 41,010 angsty fans in The Bronx.
The Yankees (92-66) trailed 9-3 entering the bottom of the ninth and rallied to make things interesting, including a three-run shot from Aaron Judge for his 57th home run of the year.
But the champagne remained on ice for a second straight night as the Yankees’ magic number to clinch the division stayed at one, as the Orioles climbed back to four games back with four to play.
The Yankees’ magic number to secure the AL’s best record also remained stuck at three (now leading the Guardians by just half a game).