Gleyber Torres
hits three home runs as the Yankees sweep a doubleheader from the Orioles 5-3 and 3-1 in the Bronx.
New York — Gleyber Torres hit three home runs during a doubleheader sweep, including a solo shot in the nightcap, and Domingo Germán became the majors' first eight-game winner in the New York Yankees' 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesdaynight.
Torres hit two of New York's four homers during a 5-3 win in the first game. The 2018 All-Star has eight homers this season, and six have come against the Orioles.
The Yankees announced during the second game that third baseman Miguel Andújar, last year's runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year, will have season-ending surgery to repair a small labrum tear in his right shoulder Monday.
New York has won 20 of 27 games to move a season-high 10 games over .500 at 26-16 despite currently having 13 players on the injured list.
Aroldis Chapman closed out both games, giving him 11 saves in 12 chances. Zack Britton also pitched a scoreless inning in each game.
Germán (8-1) struck out eight over seven innings of one-run ball. He threw first-pitch strikes to 21 of his 27 batters and has a 2.41 ERA in a breakout season. The 26-year-old right-hander loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh but escaped on Joey Rickard's groundout to preserve a one-run lead.
Andrew Cashner (4-2) pitched six innings of two-run ball, striking out seven. He was visited by a trainer in the third after DJ LeMahieu's comebacker struck him in the left wrist or hand. He stayed in, and Luke Voit drilled his next pitch off the wall in left-center for an RBI double.
Voit's hit ended his 0-for-18 skid. He added two more hits, including an RBI single in the eighth.
The 22-year-old Torres joined Joe DiMaggio as the only Yankees under 23 years old with three homers in a day. DiMaggio had two three-homer days at 22 or younger — during a doubleheader in 1936 and a three-homer game in 1937, according to STATS.
On Game 1
Playing a single-admission doubleheader after consecutive rainouts, the Yankees filled the seats with souvenirs before most fans had arrived.
“We got two days in a row off,” Torres said. “I think everyone was rested.”
The ballpark was mostly empty for the 3:05 p.m. start time, an odd atmosphere for a Yankees game at home or on the road.
“It felt a little off at first to me,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
By the time most fans were filing in, Orioles starter David Hess (1-5) had allowed a career-high four homers. He completed six innings on 89 pitches, getting charged with five runs (four earned) with six hits and six strikeouts.
Sánchez hit his 12th homer, best among big league catchers. Torres had his second multihomer game this season and fourth of his career.
The Orioles have allowed 88 homers allowed through 41 games, by far the most in the majors. That puts them on pace to give up 348 for the season, which would smash the record of 258 by the 2016 Cincinnati Reds.
Yankees left-hander J.A. Happ (33) was pulled after 5 1/3 innings and 64 pitches. He allowed three runs and five hits, including solo homers to Trey Mancini and Renato Nuñez. Happ.
Following scoreless relief from Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle and Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth. None of those relievers threw more than 15 pitches.
Austin Wynns doubled in a run and had two hits for Baltimore.
Game 1 wrapped in a tidy 2 hours, 12 minutes.
Fresh reinforcements
A day after being acquired by New York from Oakland, veteran slugger Kendrys Morales arrived in the Bronx during Game 1 and was put in the Game 2 lineup as designated hitter. Morales had an infield single in the eighth and walked twice.
Center fielder Aaron Hicks was also in the nightcap lineup, his first appearance since straining his back in spring training. Hicks was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.
Trainer’s room
Yankees: LHP James Paxton (left knee inflammation) felt good a day after throwing a bullpen session. He'll throw off a mound again Friday. ... OF Giancarlo Stanton (left shoulder strain) and SS Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery) took 11 plate appearances each in extended spring training. Gregorius said he expects to play shortstop in extended spring games beginning Monday.
Up next
Orioles: RHP Dan Straily (1-3, 8.23) pitches the opener of a four-game set at Cleveland. RHP Trevor Bauer (4-2, 3.02) is up for the Indians.
Yankees: Open a three-game series against Tampa Bay on Friday with LHP CC Sabathia (2-1, 3.26) set to pitch. Sabathia has had heated exchanges with the Rays the last two times he faced them, upset over plunked New York hitters. Tampa Bay hadn't announced a starter.