The Baltimore Orioles' series against the New York Yankees didn't go as planned, and Monday's 12-1 loss was a tough one to swallow. Starting pitcher Shane Baz, who signed a historic five-year, $68 million extension with the Orioles this spring, had a rough outing that left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
Baz, 26, allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits over 5.2 innings, striking out four but walking five. The trouble started early when Trent Grisham led off the bottom of the first with a double, and Aaron Judge followed with a massive two-run homer—a 416-foot blast to right-center. The Yankees kept the pressure on, with Grisham doubling again in the third and Cody Bellinger adding a sacrifice fly.
To his credit, Baz settled down with scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth, and the Orioles finally got on the board in the top of the sixth, cutting the deficit to 3-1. But the momentum was short-lived. Baz surrendered a run on a wild pitch, then Ryan McMahon drove in another with an RBI single. Baz exited with two outs and runners on first and second, and reliever Yennier Cano couldn't stop the bleeding, allowing an RBI double to Jose Caballero. By the end of the inning, it was 6-1, and the Yankees never looked back.
On the other side, Yankees starter Cam Schlittler was sharp, giving up just one run on seven hits over 5.2 innings, with four strikeouts and three walks. The 25-year-old held Baltimore scoreless for five frames before a walk forced in a run in the sixth. Reliever Jake Bird came in and struck out Jeremiah Jackson to end the threat. Schlittler improved to 5-1 with a stellar 1.52 ERA across eight starts, while Baz fell to 1-3 with a 4.99 ERA.
For Baz, it's been a season of extremes. He has two starts where he's pitched five-plus innings with just one run allowed, but four starts where he's given up four or more runs. The Orioles need more consistency from their right-hander, especially after investing heavily in him. His contract extension—the largest for a pitcher in franchise history—means the team is counting on him to be a cornerstone of their rotation.
Baltimore also sent four prospects and a 2026 Competitive Balance pick to New York in a separate deal, adding to the sting of this series. As the season rolls on, the Orioles will be hoping Baz can find his groove and live up to that big contract.