The New York Yankees pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, September 25, 2026, helping the Bombers secure a 6-3 victory after losing the opener. The strikeout total matched a franchise high for a nine-inning game, last achieved by Cam Schlittler’s 13 strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds in June.
The Yankees’ pitching staff showed stark improvement after an uneven first game. Ryan Yarbrough started strong, holding Baltimore scoreless through 2.1 innings while fanning five batters. After throwing just 49 pitches, Yarbrough exited with four hits and a walk allowed but no runs surrendered. Will Warren entered with one out and a runner on first, a situation serving as preparation for his expected bullpen role in the upcoming Wild Card Series.
Warren’s outing was impressive. Over 3.2 scoreless innings, he gave up three hits and struck out seven Orioles, finishing the regular season with a 3.92 ERA and just over one strikeout per inning. Brent Headrick came on in the seventh inning and allowed Baltimore’s first run of the game. With the bases loaded and one out, Leody Taveras hit a sacrifice fly that brought in Pete Alonso, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 4-1.
The Yankees’ offense finally broke through against Orioles starter Brandon Young in the bottom of the fifth. After two outs, Austin Wells walked and later scored on Ryan McMahon’s RBI double. Young pitched five innings, conceding just one run on two hits and three walks while striking out six. He finished the season with a 3.56 ERA.
New York extended their advantage in the sixth inning off the Orioles’ bullpen. Spencer Jones singled in Heliot Ramos, aided by a fielding error from Baltimore’s right fielder Rece Hinds. Anthony Volpe then delivered a ground-rule double, bringing home Luis GarcÃa Jr. and Jones to increase the lead to 4-0. Volpe finished the game with two RBIs.
After Headrick’s run allowed in the seventh, the Yankees responded immediately. Ramos and GarcÃa hit back-to-back RBI singles, stretching the lead to 6-1. Alexander Cornielle entered in relief and faced some pressure in the ninth, surrendering a solo home run to Dylan Beavers and a two-run double to Taveras that brought the Orioles within three runs. Cornielle regrouped to strike out the final two hitters and close out the win.
Ben Rice contributed with two hits, including a double, a walk, and a run scored, while McMahon also had two hits and an RBI. Wells walked twice and scored once. The Yankees now hold a 93-68 record with one regular season game left.
Sunday’s finale against the Orioles is scheduled for 3:20 p.m. ET, with Elmer RodrÃguez set to start for New York. However, weather concerns from the nor’easter that forced the doubleheader may lead to the cancellation of Game 162. The Yankees and Orioles await confirmation as forecasts develop.
According to Yahoo Sports.
