Yankees Show Off Offensive Power in Win Over Orioles
This winter, the Yankees came in with a mix of promising young outfielders, like Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones, who definitely seem ready for more playing time.
Nonetheless, Brian Cashman and the team opted to bolster their Major League outfield by extending Trent Grisham and successfully negotiating with Cody Bellinger, who has become this season’s second-highest-paid player.
Cashman probably had games like Saturday’s in mind when he decided to keep the outfield intact for 2025, banking on the potential of young talent rather than seeking immediate fixes. After a solid April where Aaron Judge and Ben Rice led the charge, Grisham and Bellinger really stepped up during a 9-4 win against the Orioles, played before a lively crowd of 46,049—thanks in part to a bobblehead giveaway.
With a record of 22-11, the Yankees had already won 12 of their previous 14 games and aimed to assert their dominance in the AL East. Despite taking an early lead against Baltimore, they managed to turn the game around, but not without some hiccups along the way.
The Orioles struggled to find their rhythm against Ryan Weathers, who allowed just one unearned run during more than five innings, only to face issues in the sixth. The Yankees’ lineup includes some players who are often regarded as afterthoughts, yet they proved crucial in this game.
Bellinger went into the match with a .250 batting average and a .755 OPS—solid, but still in the shadow of Rice and Judge, who had combined for an impressive 23 home runs. Grisham, on the other hand, was sitting at .155 and was understandably under fire from fans who were quick to judge based on the box score. Some even criticized Aaron Boone for sticking with Grisham at the top of the order, but the truth is he had been a victim of bad luck early in the season and was actually making harder contact than in his breakout year.
On Star Wars Day at the stadium, Boone certainly noticed the fans’ lack of faith.
Bellinger and Grisham ended up racking up three home runs, two doubles, and six RBIs between them. They made six of the Yankees’ 11 hits count, reaching base in seven out of nine attempts. Their performance ensured that the Yankees maintained the best record in the American League.
Bellinger went 4-for-4, hitting two home runs, a double, and earning an RBI every time he came to the plate. Grisham contributed significantly as well, with a 2-for-4 showing, including a home run and a double.
The scoring kicked off with Bellinger’s impressive shot into the right field seats in the second inning. He and Grisham were instrumental in setting up a two-run triple later.
After a walk from Jose Caballero, Grisham sent a powerful double to the wall in left field, putting runners in scoring position. Although Rice struck out, the Yankees benefited from a bizarre play where a pitch that missed Judge caused chaos, leading to a run for Caballero.
Later, Bellinger hustled for an RBI double, showcasing his awareness on the base paths. Recognizing that no Orioles middle infielder was covering second base allowed him to take advantage.
By the fourth inning, the Yankees were extending their lead after Grisham belted a fastball over the wall for a four-run advantage.
In the fifth, with the score at 6-1, Bellinger found the short porch again, marking his second homer of the game and fifth of the young season.
Even with some bullpen challenges, the Yankees held strong. During the sixth inning, Jake Byrd came into a tough spot with the bases loaded and managed to start a double play, although a run was still allowed. In the seventh, with some more walks and solid hits, Bellinger remained key to the offense.
