Gleyber's HRs help Yanks set MLB history

BALTIMORE -- The remarkable power surge that Gleyber Torres is enjoying against the Orioles has thrilled teammates, baffled hurlers and exasperated opposing broadcasters. Much to the Yankees' delight, it shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.

The Yankees belted another five homers in Wednesday's 7-5 victory over the Orioles, and Torres led the charge with his fourth multi-homer performance of the young season, all of which have come against Baltimore's long ball-prone staff.

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"I know I've hit very well during the series with Baltimore, but I don't think about it too much," Torres said. "I'm just trying to respect the game, be humble, respect the team and just play. I'm doing my job and having fun. I think when I enjoy the game, I hit pretty well."

That's an understatement; this has become an Inner Harbor fireworks display of historic proportions. The Yankees have now hit at least three home runs in six consecutive games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the longest streak by any team at any park in Major League history, according to STATS.

"We are going to hit the ball out of the ballpark and there are going to be games where we take advantage of some mistakes," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "It's one of the ways we score runs. Obviously, we're not going to be able to do that all the time, but on a given night when guys are locked in, it's certainly something that we are capable of."

As the Yankees notched their fourth straight victory -- and their 11th consecutive within the Baltimore city limits, dating to last July 10 -- Torres visited the O's bullpen facing Dan Straily in the third inning and went to the opposite field toward Eutaw Street against Gabriel Ynoa in the fifth.

Torres became the first player in Major League history to have 10 of his first 12 homers come against the same team. He has hit safely in all 11 games against Baltimore, batting .465/.531/1.233 with 13 RBIs against the Birds.

"I think this ballpark is for hitters," Torres said. "I saw the ball really well. I feel comfortable and I just do my job. I don't try to do too much."

Arguably no one has seemed to be more tortured by Torres' continued success than Orioles commentator Gary Thorne, whose downbeat calls of the infielder's drives have become hilarious, must-listen clips. But Orioles manager Brandon Hyde doesn't see any humor in the situation.

"Gleyber has two homers besides facing the Orioles, hitting [.235] or something," Hyde said. "Major League pitchers are pitching to him. Gleyber is a good player. That was a really nice piece of hitting on Ynoa, taking the ball the other way. You tip your hat on that. But the other stuff, that’s inexcusable at this level."

Thairo Estrada and DJ LeMahieu started the display with a pair of two-run homers in the second inning, and Gary Sanchez added a solo shot in the fourth, marking his team-leading 15th homer.

That provided enough cushion for CC Sabathia to qualify for his 249th career victory, despite pain in the hurler's surgically repaired right knee that is expected to require treatment and an upcoming stint on the injured list.

"It was hurting pretty bad tonight, but I was able to get through it and kind of keep the team in the game," Sabathia said. "These guys have been playing some great defense and scoring some runs. It was good to get a win."

Sabathia allowed five runs (four earned) over five innings, serving up Richie Martin's first big league homer and a two-run shot to Renato Núñez. The Bombers' bullpen slammed the door, with Tommy Kahnle, Adam Ottavino, Chad Green and Aroldis Chapman combining for four scoreless innings.

Torres became the second player to have four multi-homer games against the Orioles' franchise in the same season, joining Gus Zernial of the 1951 Philadelphia A's.

The 10 homers that Torres has slugged off Baltimore pitchers are the most that any player has hit against a single team in the Majors this season.

"Anytime you have that short of a period and that much success against anyone, you shake your head at it a little bit," Boone said. "It’s unusual and rare. He’s really locked in."

Sanchez has hit nine against the Orioles, making the duo the first Yankees teammates to hit nine or more homers against an opponent since Mickey Mantle (11) and Roger Maris (9) did so against the Washington Senators in 1961. And unlike the M&M boys, Gleyber and Gary seem like they're just getting started.

"We are a really, really good team right now," Torres said. "We just concentrate and focus to do damage. We respect the Baltimore team and just play the game, have fun and try to win. And we do that."