Yankees Top O's, Aaron Judge Hit By Pitch, Results Negative

by Felix Pantaleón

The New York Yankees bounced back from a recent slump, securing a hard-fought 4-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles in the opening game of their series at Yankee Stadium. The victory not only halted the Yankees’ losing streak but also provided some intriguing storylines for fans and analysts alike.

Aaron Judge’s Injury Scare

If Aaron Judge is actually hurt for some time, I’m beefing with the Orioles for the rest of eternity. pic.twitter.com/kdVyIK4hPH
— Scann (@TheScann) June 19, 2024

The most significant moment of the game occurred when Yankees’ star outfielder Aaron Judge was struck by a pitch on his left hand. Judge, a key contributor to the team’s success, left the field immediately and underwent X-rays and a CT scan. Fortunately, the results came back negative, providing relief to both Judge and the Yankees organization. His status for upcoming games remains uncertain, but the team hopes for a swift recovery.

Offensive Highlights

Big G Delivery 👏
🗳️🌟 https://t.co/tjcLdSQ5nl pic.twitter.com/SLooqKex8J
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 19, 2024

The Yankees’ offense came alive, with several players making crucial contributions. Anthony Volpe and Giancarlo Stanton each delivered RBI singles, while Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu added sacrifice flies. The debut of rookie Ben Rice, who went 1-for-4 with a single, injected fresh energy into the lineup.

Dominant Pitching

Left-hander Nestor Cortes took the mound and delivered an outstanding performance. Cortes pitched six shutout innings, striking out six Orioles batters. His precision and control kept the Orioles’ hitters off balance, setting the tone for the game. Relievers Michael Tonkin and Luke Weaver followed suit, combining for two scoreless frames.

Ninth-Inning Drama

In the ninth inning, with the Yankees holding a comfortable lead, reliever Clay Holmes faced adversity. He surrendered a two-run home run, narrowing the gap, but it was a non-save situation. Despite the late scare, the Yankees held on for the win.

Looking Ahead

With the series now underway, the Yankees aim to secure a series victory. The middle game of the three-game set is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. All eyes will be on ace pitcher Gerrit Cole, who returns from the injured list to make his season debut. His presence on the mound could be the key to clinching the series against the Orioles.