Orioles, Corbin Burnes seek series win vs. Yankees

Baltimore's Corbin Burnes will try to continue his stellar 2024 season when the Orioles host the New York Yankees on Wednesday evening.

Baltimore has taken the first two games of the four-game series between the top two teams in the American League East, and Burnes will try to secure a series win on Wednesday. The Yankees are a game back of the division-leading Orioles.

Burnes (3-0, 2.55 ERA) has given up three runs or less in each of his first six starts for the Orioles. He has struck out 35 and walked eight in 35 1/3 innings.

In his most recent outing, Burnes allowed a run on three hits over six innings of a no-decision against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. He struck out six, walked three and left with the lead, but closer Craig Kimbrel couldn't hold it and the Orioles lost for the first time when Burnes started.

"Just kind of another night we had to grind through and battle through not having our best stuff," Burnes said. "We were able to miss enough bats and get enough weak contact to get through six there and give us a chance to win."

The right-hander has faced the Yankees just once in his career, tossing eight no-hit innings in a no-decision on Sept. 10, 2023.

New York will counter on Wednesday with right-hander Luis Gil (1-1, 4.01 ERA), making his 13th major league start. After four solid efforts to begin the season, Gil struggled last time out, allowing five runs on six hits over five innings of a no-decision against the Brewers on Friday. He struck out six, walked two and allowed his first two homers of the season in a game the Brewers won in extra innings.

"I felt good attacking the zone, something we've been working on," Gil said through an interpreter. "I was able to go into the fifth inning tonight, and the team kept battling. ... Definitely a battle out there tonight."

Gil tossed six scoreless innings for a win in his only previous start against Baltimore on April 3, 2021.

For the second night in row on Tuesday, the Orioles held the Yankees' bats at bay. Dean Kremer pitched seven strong innings and the Orioles won 4-2. The Yankees have 12 hits and two runs in the first two games of the series.

With Kimbrel (back tightness) again unavailable, Keegan Akin got the first two outs in the eighth and Jacob Webb got the final four outs for his first save of the season. He struck out the first three batters he faced -- Aaron Judge to end the eighth, and Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo in the ninth.

According to MASN.com, Webb's most recent save of over an inning came in June of 2019 while he was with the Atlanta Braves.

"It kind of evolved that way," he said of the four-out effort. "It's awesome to be able to come in and save the game anytime. I think it's nice to have some trust from that side. Yeah, I think it was an awesome experience."

The Yankees scored a combined 30 runs on Saturday and Sunday in defeating the Brewers before facing Baltimore pitching.

"We're having the right at-bats," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "We've got to break through. Especially when you're playing a good team, you've got to take advantage of some opportunities."

Austin Wells and Juan Soto each had two hits, including a home run, for New York.