Alonso homers in 1st game back in New York, but Orioles lose to Yankees, 7-2

NEW YORK–What happened? Less than two hours before the Orioles played the New York Yankees, they announced that  closer Ryan Helsley was headed to the injured list with right elbow inflammation.

The question of who would replace him wouldn’t be answered on Friday night because the Orioles were out of the game by the second inning.

Cade Povich, who was taking the place of Trevor Rogers, who’s on the injured list because of the flu, allowed five runs in the first two innings, and the Orioles lost to the Yankees, 7-2, before 41,239 at Yankee Stadium.

It was the first of 13 meetings this season between the Orioles (15-17) and Yankees (21-11). The Yankees have the best record in the American League, and they quickly showed why.

Cody Bellinger’s RBI double scored Aaron Judge, who walked in the first inning. Judge would’ve been held at third but rightfielder Dylan Beavers bobbled the ball after it bounced off the wall.

In the second, Povich (1-1) gave up a home run to José Caballero and a three-run shot to Ben Rice. It could have been worse after Judge singled and Bellinger doubled, but Povich struck out Amed Rosario.

Povich allowed five runs on seven hits in four innings. He lacked command of his fastball and his curveball wasn’t breaking.

“I mean, they’re another baseball team,” Povich said. “I think if I pick my spots a little bit better, a little bit more aggressive, have the curveball like I had it my last few outings, I think I could’ve done a much better job keeping it 2-1, or the game being completely different.”

Playing his first game in New York, since leaving the Mets in free agency and joining the Orioles, Pete Alonso hit his fifth home run, an opposite-field homer against Will Warren in the second.

“He was throwing a ton of strikes,” manager Craig Albernaz said about Warren. “He made an adjustment this year where he’s all the way over on the third-base side, so he creates that angle, especially with that sweeper and then the sinker, too. It was a little bit tough for our guys to calibrate.

“They ended up calibrating, and he just did a good job of staying on the gas and the throttle and throwing a ton of strikes.”

Taylor Ward nearly homered in the first. Judge caught his drive with a leaping catch at the wall.

Warren (4-0) dazzled the Orioles, allowing only Alonso’s homer and a third-inning single by Blaze Alexander in the first six innings. After Alexander’s single, Warren retired 12 straight Orioles until he walked Alonso with one out in the seventh.

Samuel Basallo singled to center and when Trent Grisham couldn’t pick up the ball, Basallo and Alonso wound up on second and third. Fernando Cruz replaced Warren, who retired Beavers on a ground ball to the box, allowing Alonso to score.

Warren struck out nine and walked one in 6 1/3 innings.

Albert Suárez, who rejoined the Orioles after Helsley was put on the injured list, pitched two scoreless innings before walking Judge and Bellinger with two outs in the seventh. Judge scored on Rosario’s single to give New York a 6-2 lead.

Judge drove in Austin Wells with a single in the eighth against Tyler Wells.

Six of New York’s runs scored with two outs.

“Just one pitch away, and our guys made good pitches,” Albernaz said.

“It was just tough, because he was just leaving stuff up out over the plate and they were putting good swings on him,” he said about Povich.

Why aren’t the Orioles consistent? The Orioles have yet to put together a winning streak of more than three games. Nor they have lost more than three.

“Obviously, we want to go out there every game and score as many runs as possible, eight runs, and everyone have a hit or two,” Alexander said. “It’s baseball, it’s the game. There’s no doubt in my mind. I think every hitter in this clubhouse, we want to do better, and we’re going to do better. Yeah, man, keep fighting, man, put together good at-bats, pass the baton to the next guy and keep it rolling from there. The best is yet to come.”

What’s wrong with Helsley? Helsley was in the clubhouse after Friday night’s game. Albernaz downplayed the injury’s severity.

“I think he said he felt something,” he said. “Maybe like a week ago? But it wasn’t anything concerning. And I think, ultimately, he kind of thought it would just go away, and the discomfort was still there. Level of concern is not high at all. Imaging came back, happy with it. So he’s getting on some anti-inflammatories to knock that out and he should be ready to go.”

What does it mean? The Orioles don’t appear to be in the Yankees’ class, and with six games to play against them in the next 12 days, it will be a challenge to remain competitive.

“The Yankees are a good ballclub,” Alexander said. “Again, I’m in this locker room. I put us against anyone, truly. The Yankees, you know, good relievers, funky angles, high velo guys. But it’s nothing that these guys in here, nothing that we don’t train for. I’d put us up against anyone.

What’s the word? “I love this organization. I love this team. For me, it’s a blessing and an honor to be a Baltimore Oriole. It’s awesome to come in wearing new colors, and it’s like, all right, instead of like a crosstown rival, now we’re a divisional rival.”-Alonso on playing for the first time in New York as an Oriole.

What’s the stat of the day? 3. The Orioles’ three hits were a season low.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Creed Willems and Christian Encarnacion-Strand homered in Triple-A Norfolk’s 6-5 win over Nashville.

In his first start for Double-A Chesapeake this season, Jauron Watts-Brown gave up six runs on five hits in four innings as the Baysox lost to Erie, 7-4.

Griff O’Ferrall hit a two-run double and Anderson De Los Santos drove in two with a double.

Four High-A Frederick pitchers limited Brooklyn to three hits in a 5-2 win. Victor Figueroa and Wehiwa Aloy homered.

Christian Rodriguez allowed four runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings in Single-A Delmarva’s 6-3 loss to Hill City.

What’s next? Kyle Bradish (1-3, 4.20) will start against Ryan Weathers (1-2, 3.21) on Saturday at 1:35 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com