Yankees Defeat Orioles Behind Gil's Stellar Start

Luis Gil throws five shutout innings as the Yankees rally late to win 3-1.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a pitchers' duel, Yankees starter Luis Gil struck out seven batters over five scoreless innings, while Orioles pitcher Zach Eflin retired the first 14 batters he faced. The game remained scoreless until the Yankees broke through with a three-run eighth inning to secure the comeback victory.

Why it matters

This game showcases the depth of the Yankees' starting rotation, with Gil delivering an impressive outing after some concerns about his diminished velocity in previous spring training starts. The win also highlights the team's ability to rally late and win close games, an important skill for a playoff contender.

The details

Gil was dominant, touching 99 mph with his fastball and finding the edges of the strike zone consistently. He allowed just two baserunners over his five innings. The game remained scoreless until the Yankees broke through in the eighth, with RBI hits from Oswaldo Cabrera, Ali Sánchez, and Kyle West giving them a 3-0 lead. The Orioles scored a run in the ninth, but the Yankees held on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 21, 2026.
  • Gil struck out seven batters over five scoreless innings.

The players

Luis Gil

A Yankees starting pitcher who delivered five shutout innings, striking out seven batters.

Zach Eflin

The Orioles starting pitcher who retired the first 14 batters he faced.

Oswaldo Cabrera

A Yankees player who drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the eighth inning.

Ali Sánchez

A Yankees player who drove in a run with a line-drive double in the eighth inning.

Kyle West

A Yankees player who doubled home a run in the eighth inning to extend their lead.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Perhaps Gil caught wind of this chatter, because he came out tonight against the Orioles with a focus and urgency not seen in his previous Grapefruit League starts.”

— Chris Kirschner, Reporter

What’s next

The Yankees will look to build on this win as they continue their spring training schedule, with an eye towards solidifying their starting rotation ahead of the regular season.

The takeaway

This game showcases the depth and resilience of the Yankees' pitching staff, as Gil delivered a dominant outing to lead the team to a comeback victory over the Orioles.