BALTIMORE — Before the Yankees went their separate ways Sunday night – some to a beach, some to back home and three to the All-Star Game – they had a chance to finish off the first half in style and alone atop the AL East.
Instead, the Orioles gave them something to chase in the second half – and in gutting fashion.
After Ben Rice had clubbed a go-ahead, three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, Clay Holmes and his defense blew a two-run lead in the bottom of the frame and dealt the Yankees a devastating 6-5 loss on Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards.
After Anthony Volpe’s two-out error with the bases loaded prolonged the game and pulled the Orioles within 5-4, Cedric Mullins hit a fly ball to left field that Alex Verdugo started in on, only to go back and lose his footing multiple times.
By the time the ball fell behind him, Verdugo was sprawled out on the ground as the Orioles dugout spilled out onto the field to celebrate.
With the stunning comeback win, the Orioles (58-38) avoided the sweep and entered the All-Star break alone in first place of the division with a one-game lead over the Yankees (58-40).
The Orioles put two runners on with one out against Holmes before he struck out Gunnar Henderson looking, then walked Adley Rutschmann on four pitches to load the bases.
Ryan Mountcastle followed with a ground ball to shortstop that should have ended the game, but Volpe bobbled it, allowing the Orioles to keep their rally alive.
Rice had looked like he was going to play hero when he clobbered a three-run shot off Craig Kimbrel in the top of the ninth inning to put the Yankees up 5-3.