Baltimore Orioles secure a playoff spot for the second consecutive season.

The Baltimore Orioles are making back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the 1990s, securing at least a wild-card spot following their 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees and Minnesota’s loss to Miami.

NEW YORK — Just 2 1/2 months away from his 21st birthday and the legal drinking age, Jackson Holliday received his own special bottle of bubbly in the celebratory Baltimore Orioles clubhouse: a bottle labeled “Baby Bird Bath Water” placed in a bucket with his No. 7 jersey and a sign that read, “BABY’S FIRST CLINCHMAS 2024.”

“It’s a little more enjoyable for me,” the rookie said, holding the non-alcoholic beverage during Tuesday night’s celebration at Yankee Stadium, while his teammates enjoyed drinks from the Orioles Hydration Station. “I was hoping to join in on the fun.”

The Orioles are headed to the playoffs for consecutive years for the first time since the 1990s, having secured at least a wild-card spot.

After left fielder Colton Cowser caught Alex Verdugo’s flyout to clinch a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees, bringing Baltimore closer to the postseason, the Orioles entered a visiting clubhouse covered with protective plastic. Nine minutes later, while manager Brandon Hyde was responding to media questions, Carlos Correa struck out looking, concluding Minnesota’s 4-1 loss to Miami and confirming the Orioles’ playoff berth.

“Winning the American League East last year was a significant achievement for us, especially with lower expectations,” said general manager Mike Elias. “This year, we entered with higher expectations and made several moves to invest in our success. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the luck we hoped for. I think today brings a sense of relief.”

Following their first division title since 2014, the Orioles began the season with a 23-11 record and were 55-31 before July 3. However, they have struggled since, going 32-39, primarily due to a series of injuries. The Orioles had held the top spot in the division for 62 days, even building a lead of up to three games.

Baltimore’s pitching staff has been impacted by elbow injuries resulting in surgeries for Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells. Additionally, Grayson Rodriguez has been sidelined since July 31 due to a lat issue.

“Not much has gone right in the last few months,” Hyde commented. “We’ve been competitive in every game, but things just haven’t gone our way. We’ve also experienced a lot of bad luck.”

Dean Kremer, who pitched five innings, allowing one run and three hits to earn the win, started last year’s game against Tampa Bay that secured the Orioles’ first playoff spot since 2016. Eleven days later, he won the game that clinched the AL East, giving the Orioles their first 100-win season since 1980. He then lost the final game of the Division Series as Texas completed a three-game sweep on their way to winning their first World Series title.

“This is going to feel like a fresh start. We don’t have to grind anymore,” Kremer said.

As this year’s postseason approaches, the Orioles are getting healthier. All-Star infielder Jordan Westburg returned from a broken hand on Sunday, the same day third baseman Ramón Urías came back from a sprained right ankle. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle was activated on Tuesday after missing a month due to a sprained left wrist.

Baltimore boasts impressive power, with the Orioles hitting 228 home runs, trailing only the Yankees, who have 230.

“We know the kind of group we have,” said All-Star right fielder Anthony Santander, whose sixth-inning shot off the right-field foul pole marked his career highs of 44 home runs and 100 RBIs.

The Orioles were eliminated in the AL Championship Series in 1996 and 1997. With an 87-70 record, they have a slim chance of surpassing the Yankees (92-65) for the AL East title—they would need to go 5-0 while the Yankees finish 0-5. However, they currently hold a four-game lead for the top wild card, which would allow them to play next week’s best-of-three Wild Card Series at Camden Yards.

“I’m hopeful that our luck evens out in the playoffs,” Elias said, “since last year we experienced the opposite.”