Meeting the moment, Luis Gil delivers for the Yankees at Baltimore

BALTIMORE – Had the Yankees opened with a healthy Gerrit Cole in their rotation, it’s a different ballgame right now for Luis Gil.

He’d likely be working at Class AAA, building up at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Depending on the organization’s innings threshold for Gil (and the rotation’s health), the 25-year-old right-hander might find himself used as a multi-inning weapon as October nears.

But on Wednesday night, the First of May, the Yankees really needed Gil to go toe-to-toe with Baltimore Orioles’ ace Corbin Burnes, and Gil delivered.

That big request fulfilled, a beaming Gil exited after 6.1 scoreless innings, and the Yankees’ bullpen stitched together an important 2-0 win at Camden Yards.

Luis Gil subdues the Orioles

The Gunnar Henderson-led Orioles’ lineup managed just two hits (both singles) and a walk against Gil (2-1), while Oswaldo Cabrera’s fifth inning, two-run homer off Burnes was the difference.

From his position at third base, Cabrera saw a “so focused, so concentrated’’ Gil working his sharp mix of fastballs, changeups and sliders against the defending AL East champs.

“It doesn’t matter who you’re facing, really,’’ Gil said through an interpreter. “Once you’re locked in and you’re concentrating on what you want to do, that’s really it.

“That level of concentration for me has to be high, and that’s really important. And that’s what I focus on.’’

There was a runner at first base and one out when Gil left in the seventh.

Marcus Stroman was the first Yankee out of the dugout, embracing his staff mate after Gil tipped his cap and applauded back at the Yankees fans standing and applauding behind the visitors’ dugout – part of a crowd of 24,180.

Having lost most of the last two seasons rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Gil is gaining “more experience, more confidence’’ with each start, said manager Aaron Boone.

‘“He’s equipped to get good hitters out. It’s all about execution and he executed a lot tonight.’’

Luis Gil's concentration on throwing strikes

Gil has been cutting down on walks since issuing seven on April 15 at Toronto.

In his previous three starts, including Wednesday night, he’s walked six total batters.

“I knew I had to be more consistent in the strike zone,’’ said Gil, who struck out five Orioles. Since spring training, “it’s been a lot of work, a lot of sweat to get to a point where I feel comfortable doing that.’’

And the timing of Gil’s performance couldn’t have been better.

After the Orioles took the first two games of this four-game set, 2-0 and 4-2, Burnes’ presence Wednesday meant a series sweep – a bold, early statement by the O’s – was very much in play.

These Yankees still haven’t relocated that formula from last weekend at Milwaukee when they scored 30 runs in two games.

Maybe the Yanks (20-12) get Alex Verdugo back in time for Thursday’s afternoon finale against the Orioles (19-11); Boone said the lefty hitter might be arriving late Wednesday night and available after being on MLB’s paternity list the past three days.

Clay Holmes' five-out save sews up a big win

Of course, the Yankees aren’t shaking hands at the end without the bullpen’s effort, starting with Caleb Ferguson striking out both batters he faced.

With a sharp sinker-slider combo, Holmes finished a five-out save, his 10^th of the year, with three strikeouts.

“It’s a good team over there, with a really good offense,’’ Holmes said of the O’s. So, it was “really big’’ for Gil to set the tone.

“Shows what he’s capable of, it was fun to watch’’ from the bullpen,’’ said Holmes, inspiring the relievers to “contribute any way we could.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Meeting the moment, Luis Gil delivers for the Yankees at Baltimore