The New York Yankees secured a decisive 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on September 30, 2023, thanks to powerful early home runs and strong pitching. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Ryan McMahon each hit home runs, allowing the Yankees to maintain at least a share of the AL East lead as the regular season approaches its conclusion.
With this win, the Yankees improved their record to 93-68, marking their seventh consecutive victory and their tenth win in the last eleven games. They are now guaranteed at least a wild card spot in the playoffs. The Yankees began the day tied with the Toronto Blue Jays, who played later against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Strong Performance from Schlittler
Cam Schlittler delivered an impressive performance on the mound, striking out a career-high nine batters over seven scoreless innings while allowing only two hits. The 24-year-old rookie right-hander, now holding a 4-3 record, has maintained a solid 2.96 ERA across 14 starts this season.
The Yankees faced a setback when Jazz Chisholm Jr. left the game in the fifth inning after being struck on the left arm by a pitch from Grant Wolfram. The team reported that X-rays were negative, and Chisholm is scheduled for a CT scan to further assess the injury.
Judge set the tone for the game by hitting his record-breaking 20th first-inning home run of the season. This marked his 53rd home run overall, contributing to the Yankees’ record of 49 first-inning homers this year, surpassing the previous record of 47 set by the Atlanta Braves in 2023.
Stanton and McMahon followed suit, each hitting home runs in the second inning, which extended the Yankees’ lead to 3-0. Stanton’s career total rose to 453 home runs, placing him just ahead of Carl Yastrzemski for 40th on the all-time list. Notably, Judge and Stanton have now homered in the same game 59 times, with the Yankees winning 52 of those matchups.
Managerial Decisions and Key Highlights
The game also saw Yankees manager Aaron Boone ejected for the seventh time this season, the highest number among MLB managers this year. Boone’s ejection was prompted by his argument over a called strike against Judge. This incident marked the 46th ejection of Boone’s managerial career.
The Yankees improved their head-to-head record against the American League East to 26-25 with this victory, solidifying their position as a competitive force in the division.
As the regular season nears its end, the Yankees will look to continue their momentum. They are scheduled to face the Orioles in a rematch on October 1, 2023, with right-handed pitcher Luis Gil (4-1, 3.29 ERA) set to start for New York against Baltimore’s Kyle Bradish (1-1, 2.25 ERA).
This victory sets the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season, as the Yankees aim to secure their playoff position and pursue further success in October.
