Slammed shut: Homer in 14th powers Orioles
Alvarez blast keys wild win over Yankees
NEW YORK — Pedro Alvarez hit a grand slam in the 14th inning, Manny Machado homered twice, and the Baltimore Orioles held off the injury-depleted New York Yankees 7-3 on Friday in a game marked by a couple of wild misadventures on the basepaths.
The Yankees saw four players make early exits. Starter CC Sabathia left with a hip soreness, star catcher Gary Sanchez limped off with a possible leg cramp right before Alvarez struck, third baseman Brandon Drury was lifted for migraines, and second baseman Tyler Wade was removed because of flu-like symptoms.
Alvarez connected after midnight, deciding a game that took 5 hours, 20 minutes and included 14 pitchers and some confusing video reviews.
There also were two stellar defensive plays, one by each team. The Orioles nailed the possible winning run at the plate in the 11th, and then Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge robbed Caleb Joseph of a home run in the 13th.
Baltimore loaded the bases against Jonathan Holder in the 14th on a walk by Trey Mancini, a single by Machado — his sixth time on base — and a throwing error by third baseman Ronald Torreyes on Jonathan Schoop’s sacrifice bunt try.
After Adam Jones struck out looking, Alvarez drove a no-doubter to right-center. It was the third career grand slam for Alvarez and first since June 30, 2012, while with Pittsburgh. Alvarez grew up in Upper Manhattan and went to Horace Mann School, about five miles from Yankee Stadium.
New York nearly won it in the 11th. With Didi Gregorius at third, right-hander Mychal Givens threw a breaking pitch to the backstop, enticing Gregorius to break for home. Joseph chased after the wild pitch, and the catcher fielded the ball on a big hop and made a backhanded flip it to Givens.
The pitcher slid across home plate as he took the feed to block Gregorius and apply the tag.
A video review upheld the call — one play after a Yankees video challenge overturned what initially was ruled an inning-ending double play hit by Torreyes.
It was nearly another big moment in a superb week for Gregorius. He had a tying solo homer in the eighth off Miguel Castro that made Friday’s freaky extra innings possible.