BALTIMORE — The Yankees hoped that Luis Severino had figured things out.

The right-hander, following an abysmal seven-start stretch, showed notable improvement in his last two outings. While the most recent, a 5.2-inning, three-run start against the Royals wasn’t spotless, the optimistic outlook was that Severino had strung together some performances to build on after allowing 33 earned runs over 31.1 innings between June 2 and July 6.

But whatever foundation Severino had laid came crashing to the ground Sunday at Camden Yards, where the first-place Orioles obliterated the former Cy Young finalist in a 9-3 victory that also cemented a series win.

Baltimore jumped Severino as soon as he took the mound, beginning the game with two singles before Anthony Santander started the scoring with an RBI double. Ryan O’Hearn immediately followed with a two-run double before Adam Frazier drilled a three-run homer.

With Severino searching yet again, the Orioles had themselves a 6-0 lead before the Yankees had an out. Baltimore plated one more runner when Adley Rutschman logged an RBI single in his second at-bat of the opening frame.

Severino avoided damage for a few innings after that, but Gunnar Henderson gave the Orioles an eighth run with a double in the fourth. O’Hearn then knocked Severino out of the game with an RBI single.

Sunday was the fifth time in 12 starts that the hurler surrendered at least five earned runs in a game this season. The impending free agent now has a 7.49 ERA this year.

While Severino faltered again on the mound, the Yankees’ offense returned to dormancy with Aaron Judge expectedly resting in his third game back from the injured list. Jake Bauers crushed a solo homer in the third and added an RBI double in the fourth off Dean Kramer, but that was hardly enough as the Yankees set a season-high with 18 strikeouts.

Harrison Bader also picked up an RBI with a sac fly in the fifth.

With Sunday’s loss, the last-place Yankees are now 3.5 games out of the final wild card spot. With Tuesday’s trade deadline looming, it remains to be seen what the front office will do after a losing weekend in Baltimore.

On Saturday, the Yankees looked like a team worth adding to in an 8-3 win. On Sunday, they looked like a team that should sell, though their 55-50 record is better than that of some teams that have already committed to buying or standing pat.

Also on the horizon are series against the Rays and Astros, who occupy the first two wild card spots. The third currently belongs to the Blue Jays.

Domingo Germán will start Monday’s series-opener against Tyler Glasnow and Tampa Bay, while Carlos Rodón will face Zach Eflin in Tuesday’s game. Wednesday’s series finale will feature a duel between aces Gerrit Cole and Shane McClanahan — and perhaps some fresh faces on both sides.

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