BALTIMORE–What happened? While the Orioles won’t forget their four-game sweep by the New York Yankees, they derived some satisfaction from winning two of three games this week at Camden Yards.
The Orioles were outscored 39-10 in the Bronx earlier this month, and after an exciting 3-2 win on Monday and a disappointing 6-2 loss on Tuesday, they played a complete game in a 7-0 win, limiting the Yankees to one hit before 14,521 on Wednesday.
It was the first shutout of the season for the Orioles (20-24).
“I think that’s what we’re capable of,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “We’ve shown it. We’ve shown we can play a game like this. So, for our guys, it’s just anchoring to it, being consistent with it and being diligent with our work.”
Wednesday’s gametime was moved up from 6:35 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. due to an unfavorable weather forecast, and the result was a small crowd.
Kyle Bradish pitched his second consecutive strong game, allowing just that one hit in six scoreless innings, walking three and striking out seven.
Jazz Chisholm’s one-out double in the fifth was the Yankees’ only hit.
Keegan Akin pitched a spotless seventh. Dietrich Enns and Yennier Cano threw two scoreless innings.
Bradish (2-5) has lowered his ERA to 4.21, and his curveball has been the key.
“It’s becoming a real equalizer,” Albernaz said. “That’s something that has performed well throughout his career, and this year, the usage hasn’t been as high to start the year, and he’s starting to lean into it now. It’s just tough. Obviously, the depth spin plays better to lefties, so use it to lefties.
“But also, it has great utility against righties, too, and the way he’s just pounding the strike zone, being efficient, it’s such a different look for both handedness, so it was awesome to see him get that going today.”
Blaze Alexander had three hits and drove in two runs with a sixth-inning single. Coby Mayo, who won Monday’s game with a three-run homer, had two hits, including an RBI double.
Adley Rutschman’s sacrifice fly and Pete Alonso’s run-scoring single in the third gave the Orioles (20-24) a 3-0 lead against Yankee starter Max Fried (4-3).
Fried left after the third because of left elbow posterior soreness as the Yankees (27-17) lost their fifth of six.
Rutschman, who drove in three, added his sixth home run in the fifth.
How much better is Bradish pitching? Bradish said the curveball is the key to his success.
“I think early on in the year, we got away from it just because the slider has just been historically so good for me,” he said. “And it’s tough not to throw it, but I think they both work well off of each other. These past two starts, just upping the usage, it’s been really good right now. So, keeping it there, and being able to throw those two breaking balls is very important for me.”
Albernaz said having a healthy and efficient Bradish is essential to the staff, especially with Zach Eflin out after Tommy John surgery and Dean Kremer out with a right quadriceps muscle strain.
“Having K.B. step up and doing what he’s doing, that’s been awesome to see,” Albernaz said. “That’s vintage K.B., the past two starts, so hopefully we keep that rolling.
“I don’t know about taking a no-hitter, but that was fun to watch, too. But he just did a great job being efficient with his pitches.”
Albernaz said it’s good for the other starters to see Bradish pitching so well.
“I think when you’re in the clubhouse, when you’re grinding with your guys and you see how hard they work and they’re making adjustments, and you see it come to fruition out in front of you, live, I would think it would merit some of our guys to keep pushing through,” Albernaz said.
“They already have that mentality, but to actually see one of your guys that you compete with and are around every single day go out and make an adjustment and it’s showing, I think it’s going to lend some type of reward for us.”
How did Rutschman see Bradish? Rutschman knows Bradish better than anyone.
“I mean, he’s such a good pitcher and I think just today, him going out doing his thing,” Rutschman said. “The guy continues to work. Not the start he wanted, but the guy just continues to get better and learn and, the guy works and it’s fun to watch, fun to catch and looked amazing today.”
Rutschman thinks it’s not only the curveball that’s working.
“I think for him, he’s got a lot of electric stuff, and I think for him, just trusting multiple pitch types to batters and to be able to throw the slider and the curveball to the righties and lefties and the four-seam and the two-seam,” he said.
“The more that you can keep batters off balance, for him, just kind of showing those different looks is very important. Looked really good today
What does it mean? It was important for the Orioles to win this series against the Yankees, whom they won’t play again until August 18th.
What’s the stat of the day? 1. It was the first one-hitter since Brandon Young threw 7 2/3 perfect innings against Houston on August 15th, 2025.
What’s the word? “Yeah, just fun to win the series, period. I think it might sound redundant, but don’t really look at the past.”-Albernaz on winning the series against the Yankees.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Twine Palmer pitched four scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits as High-A Frederick beat Hudson Valley, 5-4.
What’s next? The Orioles will open a three-game series at Nationals Park on Friday night at 6:45. Shane Baz (1-4, 5.48) will start for the Orioles. Washington hasn’t named its starter.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: [email protected]