Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish had a message after Wednesday's win.
The Baltimore Orioles took the series at home against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, winning the finale by a final score of 7-0. It marked Baltimore’s first shutout victory of the season and one of their most complete performances in weeks.
All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman had another strong day at the plate, collecting three RBIs and launching a home run. First baseman Pete Alonso continued his hot stretch as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. The offense set the tone early, but the pitching was the story of the afternoon.
Kyle Bradish drew the start and delivered one of his best outings of the year. The 29-year-old right-hander outpitched Max Fried, completing six innings while allowing just one hit. He issued three walks and struck out seven hitters in a dominant performance that showed flashes of the pitcher who once finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting.
After the game, Bradish spoke with reporters and admitted the series win felt even better than usual. “It always feels good taking a series from a division opponent, especially the Yankees,” Bradish said (h/t Jake Rill of MLB.com).
The Orioles still have ground to make up on New York in the AL East, but this was a meaningful step in the right direction, especially after the Yankees swept them earlier in May in a four-game series. More importantly, Bradish’s outing offered a reminder of how valuable he can be if he returns to form.
Bradish is in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2024. His ERA improved from 4.83 to 4.21 after Wednesday’s start, and if he can continue lowering that number, the Orioles will have a much-needed ace at the top of a rotation that has struggled for most of the year. His strikeout numbers remain strong, with 52 in 47 innings, suggesting his stuff is trending back toward pre-surgery levels.
Baltimore’s rotation has been one of the weakest in MLB in terms of ERA, and getting Bradish back to ace-level production would be a massive boost. The Orioles have dealt with injuries, inconsistency and a lack of depth, making every quality start even more valuable as they try to climb back into contention.
The Orioles will look to build on the momentum when they open a series against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, hoping Bradish’s performance can spark a much-needed winning streak.