Luis Gil struggles as Yankees lose rubber match to Orioles

NEW YORK — Luis Gil is human after all.

Before Thursday’s game against the Orioles, Gil was the Yankees’ best starter. After 14 starts, Gil led the Majors in opponents’ batting average (.160) and was fourth with a 2.03 ERA.

The Orioles didn’t get the memo. Gil was out of the game after 1 1/3 innings as Baltimore won, 17-5, and ended up taking two of three games at Yankee Stadium.

Gil’s problems started with the first batter of the game. Gunnar Henderson hit a liner right at right fielder Juan Soto. At first, it looked like Soto was going to catch the ball, but it went over his head for a double. Henderson ended up scoring on a two-out single by Ryan O’Hearn.

The following inning was even worse for Gil. He got only one out as the Orioles scored six runs, and he was replaced by Michael Tonkin. Cedric Mullins highlighted the scoring with a two-run homer off Gil, who saw his ERA jump to 2.77.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Yankees’ streak of having their starters go at least four innings is over after 76 games. It was the seventh-longest season-opening streak by any team since 1900.

New York’s bullpen didn’t fare much better than Gil. The team used seven relievers — including catcher Jose Trevino — who combined to allow 10 runs (seven earned) in 7 2/3 innings.