The New York Yankees wasted no time announcing their presence in Baltimore on Friday, launching three consecutive home runs in the first five pitches of the game to humiliate Orioles starter Kyle Gibson in a historic offensive explosion.
Nightmare Start for Gibson
Signed by the Orioles as a last-minute rotation patch after injuries and Charlie Morton's struggles, Kyle Gibson's season debut spiraled instantly. The Yankees' Trent Grisham ignited the barrage on the second pitch, crushing a 412-foot missile onto Eutaw Street. Reigning MVP Aaron Judge followed by slicing a 364-foot opposite-field shot—his MLB-leading ninth homer—before rookie Ben Rice demolished a changeup 378 feet to right.
Before the Orioles could record an out, New York led 3-0. Cody Bellinger later added a solo blast, while Jazz Chisholm and Anthony Volpe ripped back-to-back doubles to push the lead to 5-0 in the first inning. Gibson, whose ERA ballooned to 9.00, exited to boos after allowing seven hits and five runs in just 0.2 innings.
Yankees Cement Home Run Dominance
Friday's eruption marked the second time this season the Yankees opened a game with three straight homers, replicating their April 2 onslaught against ex-teammate Nestor Cortes. With four first-inning homers, New York now leads MLB with 49 home runs in 2024—a pace that shatters franchise records. Judge, whose three-homer game in April set the tone, continues to anchor the lineup with his signature blend of raw power and precision.
What's Next?
The Orioles, already burdened by the majors' worst rotation ERA (6.38), face deepening concerns as their makeshift pitching staff crumbles. Meanwhile, the Yankees' relentless offense signals a terrifying warning to the AL East. New York's blend of veteran sluggers and rising stars appears unstoppable, with Volpe and Chisholm's high-contact approaches complementing Judge's Ruthian production.
As the Yankees eye another division title, Baltimore must regroup quickly. For Gibson, the road ahead grows steeper—few pitchers recover from a debut this disastrous.