Gunnar Henderson collected three hits and Colton Cowser drove in three runs Wednesday as the visiting Baltimore Orioles hung on for a 9-7 victory over the New York Yankees, who were unable to clinch the American League East for the second straight night.
A night after clinching a playoff berth, the Orioles (88-70) pulled within four games of the Yankees (92-66). The Orioles lead the season series 8-4 and would win the division via tiebreaker if they win their remaining four games and the Yankees lose their final four games.
Baltimore, which has a magic number of one to seal the top AL wild card, will try to sweep the three-game series on Thursday.
New York saw its magic number for clinching a second division title in three seasons remain at one. The Yankees also lead the Cleveland Guardians by a half-game for the best record in the AL.
Henderson led off the game with an infield single as the Orioles scored three times and had six hits in the first inning against New York emergency starter Marcus Stroman.
The Baltimore shortstop added a two-run single in the fourth that chased Stroman and gave the visitors a 5-1 lead.
Cowser wound up with a two-run single in the first when New York rookie left fielder Jasson Dominguez could not make a leaping catch, and he scored on a single by Ryan Mountcastle after stealing second.
Cowser also hit an RBI double in a four-run fourth, a frame that included a run-scoring double by Anthony Santander.
James McCann contributed an RBI single in the fifth and Jordan Westburg hit an RBI single in the seventh as the Orioles finished with 17 hits and went 8-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins added three hits, two stolen bases and three runs.
Orioles starter Zach Eflin allowed three runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings, falling one out shy of qualifying for the win. Eflin struck out one and issued a career-high five walks.
Jacob Webb (2-5) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings and was awarded the win.
New York’s Anthony Volpe hit an RBI single in the second and Juan Soto slugged a two-run homer in the fifth.
Down 9-3 entering the ninth, the Yankees rallied. Aaron Judge homered for the fourth straight game to up his major-league-leading total to 57. He followed Soto’s RBI single with a three-run shot off Matt Bowman.
Keegan Akin got the final two outs for his first save of the season.
Stroman was rocked for six runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings after scheduled starter Nestor Cortes landed on the injured list due to a strained flexor tendon in his left elbow.
