Outdone by O's 'thump,' Yanks see what they're up against

BALTIMORE -- This was billed as a measuring stick series for the Yankees, presenting their first opportunity to gauge how they would fare against the defending American League East champions. They left town recognizing that -- at least for the moment – they look a bit short.

Carlos Rodón permitted seven runs (six earned) over four-plus innings, hurt by three solo home runs and a costly Gleyber Torres error, as the Yankees fell to the Orioles, 7-2, on Thursday afternoon at Camden Yards.

“We have to get better,” Torres said. “First series, we got punched in the face. We’ve got three more, so we have to figure out a way to beat them.”

The Yankees scored just six runs in the four-game series, with Baltimore winning three contests to return to first place in the division.

Aaron Judge’s struggles continued in a hitless performance on Thursday, with the captain going 1-for-13 against one of his favorite offensive backdrops. In Judge’s final at-bat of the afternoon, he struck out swinging at a 93.5 mph fastball down the middle.

“Right now, when I’m getting that pitch to hit, I’m just missing it or hitting it right into the ground,” said Judge, whose batting average fell to .197. “I’m going to make a couple of adjustments and we’ll be right there.”

Though Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he sees Judge is “grinding” at the plate, he is not ready to discuss moving Judge from the No. 3 spot in the lineup.

“Somebody’s going to pay, big time,” Boone said. “He’ll get it going, and look out when he does.”

Ryan Mountcastle, Jorge Mateo and Ryan McKenna went deep off Rodón, who allowed eight hits and struck out six without a walk, tossing a pair of wild pitches. The uneven effort raised Rodón’s season ERA more than a run, from 2.48 to 3.68.

“I thought the first three games were close games,” Rodón said. “That’s a good team, and I thought we played pretty well. We’ve got to figure out how to scratch another [win] there. I wanted to leave here with an even series. I wish I would have performed better, for sure.”

Rodón had an electric second inning, extinguishing trouble after loading the bases on two hits and a hit-by-pitch. He reached back for a 98.3 mph fastball to strike out Colton Cowser, then fanned James McCann and got McKenna to line out to left field.

But the long ball got Rodón in the next two innings, and the O’s scored four runs (three earned) in the fifth, when Rodón could not retire a batter. After two hits began the frame, Rodón induced a grounder that shortstop Anthony Volpe flipped to Torres at second base.

Torres attempted a barehand play, dropping the ball for an error. Jordan Westburg followed with a two-run triple that chased Rodón.

“Volpe made a really good play. I just tried to rush to try and get a double play and help Rodón in that situation,” Torres said. “But I forgot who was the runner and I missed the ball. In that type of situation, I have to be more sure and try to get one out.”

Said Boone: “You’ve got to secure the ball. This is the big leagues. You’ve got to make the play, and he didn’t make the play.”

Anthony Rizzo had a run-scoring single off Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish, who permitted one run over 4 2/3 innings in his season debut, having opened the year on the injured list with a right UCL sprain. Torres hit his first homer of the season in the sixth.

“I didn’t think that was going to be the way I hit my first homer of the year, especially after that error,” Torres said. “I’ve been working in the cage, trying to get better results and fix those little things.”

Both bullpens were excellent in the series; Yankees relievers did not permit an earned run across 10 innings.

"With [Clay] Holmes at the end, that's going to be a really, really tough team to beat all year,” said O’s manager Brandon Hyde.

There could be more tight battles to come between the clubs, who are scheduled to meet again June 18-20 at Yankee Stadium.

“They can pitch, they’re athletic, they’ve got thump,” Boone said. “They’re a complete team that you know you’ve got to play well, and know they’re going to be there all year long. We look forward to more battles with them. They’re certainly formidable.”