Orioles’ 8-run 7th is key in 9-6 win over Yankees; Latest on Mateo, Givens

Trailing by four runs entering the seventh inning, the Orioles scored eight runs, their biggest inning since September 8^th 2021, in a 9-6 win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night.

After a rain delay of one hour, 36 minutes, Oriole starter Tyler Wells allowed five runs in five innings as the Orioles trailed, 5-1. Wells gave up two home runs to Gleyber Torres and one to Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Adam Frazier hit a three-run home run and Gunnar Henderson had a two-run double. Ryan Mountcastle, who hit his 11^th home run in the sixth inning, had a sacrifice and Anthony Santander and Austin Hays had RBI singles in the eight-run seventh.

Mike Baumann (4-0) pitched a perfect sixth. Danny Coulombe pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowed one hit and struck out three, and Félix Bautista pitched a hitless ninth for his 12^th save.

The win gives the Orioles a 32-17 record, and they trail first-place Tampa Bay by three games in the American League East. They’ve won four of five on their road trip to Toronto and New York.

Kyle Gibson (5-3, 4.27) will face Clarke Schmidt (2-4, 6.00) on Thursday night.

Mateo delivers in other ways: Entering Wednesday night’s game, shortstop Jorge Mateo was just 6-for-59 in May, and still had a 1.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). Mateo hit .347 with six home runs and 17 RBIs through the end of April.

On Wednesday night, Mateo was 1-for-3.

It will be interesting to see how long manager Brandon Hyde will stick with Mateo as the everyday shortstop if he doesn’t start hitting.

Mateo’s play at shortstop has been excellent. Last year, Mateo had a 3.4 WAR, but hit just .221.

In 2022, the Orioles were a surprise second-half contender and didn’t have as many options at shortstop as they do now.

Shortstop is Gunnar Henderson’s natural position. Joey Ortiz, who started at third on Wednesday, is also a shortstop. Ramón Urías, who’s on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring, also can play shortstop.

Jordan Westburg, one of the Orioles’ top prospects, also plays shortstop as well as second, third and the corner outfield spots.

Mateo, who led the American League with 35 steals, has 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts and has great value, but he’ll need to start hitting soon.

Givens struggling: The Orioles couldn’t wait until Mychal Givens was ready after missing the season’s first seven weeks with a left knee injury.

Their bullpen was taxed, and Givens could help in the sixth or seventh inning.

In his first game on Sunday, Givens allowed a run on two hits, walked and struck out one in the Orioles’ 8-3 win in 10 innings at Toronto.

On Tuesday night, Givens pitched a perfect sixth inning, but on Wednesday night, Givens allowed a run, walking two and retiring one batter.

Minor league update: Cole Irvin allowed two runs on two hits in five innings as Norfolk beat Memphis, 9-7.

Irvin (5-1) struck out two without walking a batter. Both of his hits were home runs.

Spenser Watkins followed Irvin and gave up four runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings.

First baseman Lewin Díaz drove in three runs and hit his seventh home run. Second baseman Connor Norby drove in two runs.

The Orioles signed infielder Joseph Rosa to a minor league contract and assigned him to Norfolk. He was 2-for-4 in his first game. Outfielder Kyle Stowers is on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

Garrett Stallings and Peter Van Loon combined on a six-hit shutout as Double-A Bowie beat Akron, 9-0.

Stallings (1-2) allowed five hits in five innings, striking out seven and walking one. Van Loon gave up one hit in four innings with six strikeouts and two walks.

Third baseman Coby Mayo drove in four runs and hit his sixth home run.

Rightfielder Heston Kjerstad had three hits and raised his average to .324.

Ramón Urías was 0-for-2 and walked three times in his first game of a rehab assignment as High-A Aberdeen lost to Jersey Shore, 12-10, in the first game of a doubleheader.

Centerfielder Hudson Haskin and leftfielder Jud Fabian both drove in three runs. Shortstop Jackson Holliday had three hits.

Aberdeen beat Jersey Shore, 4-3, in the second game. Jake Lyons (5-1) allowed three runs on three hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Bradley Brehmer allowed a run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings as Single-A Delmarva beat Lynchburg, 5-3.

Catcher Creed Willems drove in three runs and hit his eighth home run.