Yankees’ bats produce too little, too late in loss to Rays

A day after losing 9-1 and going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, the Yankees had more trouble with timely hitting on Sunday.While Aaron Judge belted a three-run jack for his league-leading 35th homer in the seventh inning, the captain’s blast proved too little, too late in a 6-4 loss to the Rays. The Bombers had other opportunities to score, but they went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.The Yankees also left nine men on base.The first inning immediately foreshadowed the afternoon ahead, as the Yankees failed to score despite loading the bases with one out against inefficient Rays righty Shane Baz. The pitcher, making just his third start of the year, lasted 3.1 innings while totaling four hits and five walks. Still, the Yankees still couldn’t score off him.Even after one-out double steals in the second and fourth innings, the Yankees remained blank on the board.With his offense dormant, Aaron Boone took exception to a low strike three call against Alex Verdugo in the sixth inning. The manager was tossed shortly afterward.Boone’s fifth ejection of the year came courtesy of home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez.While the Yankees didn’t score until late in the game, the Rays relied on the long ball against Marcus Stroman. The right-hander held Tampa Bay to two earned runs over 5.1 innings, but a leadoff home run to Richie Palacios put the Yankees in an immediate hole.Randy Arozarena followed up with his own solo homer in the fourth — as well as a leisurely trot around the bases — before José Caballero added an RBI single.Caballero’s knock came after Gleyber Torres’ 12th error. Josh Lowe reached safely on the play and then stole second before racing home.Stroman finished the day with three total runs, five hits, zero walks, five strikeouts and 87 pitches.With Jake Cousins on the mound in the seventh, Jose Siri provided insurance with a two-run homer. Like Arozarena, he slowly circled the bases. Siri also cupped his hand to his ear as he rounded third and Yankees fans booed.Judge took his time jogging on his home run in the bottom of the frame, but Caballero added a solo homer in the ninth inning. A Juan Soto double got the Yankees a fourth run in the final frame, but the Rays prevailed and took a 2-1 series lead.At best, the Yankees can settle for a split on Monday with the struggling Carlos Rodón on the mound. Zack Littell will start for Tampa.Now 59-42, the Yankees have lost 23 of their last 37 games. They endured an 8-18 stretch prior to the All-Star Game, but the hope was that the break would lead to a hot start in the second half.While the Yankees won their first game back on Friday, those hopes have yet to materialize.
Originally Published: July 21, 2024 at 5:40 p.m.

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