YANKS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE, WIN 2 OF 6

The New York Yankees continue to struggle as manager Aaron Boone tries to manage the new bullpen.

The Yankees started off the week narrowly avoiding a sweep by the Texas Rangers.

The Yankees were winning game 1 with a score of 5-4. Max Fried gave up 4 runs in 5 innings but also struck out 7. Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run to lead off the game and Giancarlo Stanton hit a 2 run home run in the fourth inning. Up by 1, Luke Weaver, Camilo Doval and David Bednar held the Rangers to 0 hits through the 6th, 7th and 8th innings but Devin Williams came in to close the game and gave up a home run to Joc Pederson to tie the game. Jake Bird pitched the 10th inning and intentionally walked a batter before giving up a home run to Josh Jung. Rangers won 5-8.

Game 2 was a pitching dual that the Yankees ultimately loss in the 8th inning at the hands of Devin Williams. Will Warren allowed only 3 hits and 0 runs in five innings and struck out 5. Nathan Eovaldi pitched a solid 8 innings and held the Yankees to 1 hit and struck out 6. Williams walked 2, gave up a double and a single in the eighth inning allowing 2 runs to score. Mark Leiter Jr. made his return to the bullpen and got the final out of the inning. Rangers won 0-2. Also returning in this game was Aaron Judge who was 0-3. Ryan McMahon and Anthony Volpe were the only ones to get a hit in this game.

The Yankees snapped a five game losing streak by winning game 3 of the series. Carlos Rodon allowed 2 runs in six innings while Jack Leiter allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, in 3 1/3 innings. The Rangers scored first in the third inning but Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez gave the Yankees a lead of 2-1 in the next inning. The Rangers tied the game in the fifth inning but Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to give the Yankees the lead again. The Yankees won 3-2. Mark Leiter Jr. earned the win and David Bednar earned the save.

The Yankees returned to the Bronx for a 3 game weekend series against the Houston Astros. Prior to that it was announced that JT Brubaker was released and Austin Slater was placed on the 10-day IL.

The Yankees also avoided a sweep by the Astros by winning one game.

Game 1 was close and went into extra innings. Rookie Cam Schlittler allowed 2 runs in 5 innings. Hunter Brown also allowed 2 runs in 5 1/3 innings. Schlittler’s 2 runs were from a 2 run home run by Jose Altuve in the first inning. The Yankees tied the game in the sixth inning with a pair of singles by Ben Rice and Aaron Judge. Devin Williams gave up a RBI single and a 2 run home run in the tenth inning giving the Astros a 3 run lead. Anthony Volpe hit a RBI single but the Yankees couldn’t get anymore runs. The Astros won 5-3.

Saturday was Older Timers Day. Several former Yankees returned to play a game prior to Luis Gil making his return to pitch game 2. He allowed 2 runs in 5 1/3 innings and struck out 7. Framber Valdez allowed 4 runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Astros took the lead first with a lead off home run by Jeremy Pena in the first inning but the Yankees took the lead off a few singles and walks later that inning. Carlos Correa tied the game in the fourth inning with a RBI single but the Yankees added two more runs in the fifth inning giving them a 2 run lead. The Astros tied the game again in the 8th inning off a single by Jose Altuve, a throwing error by Jasson Dominguez and a pair of walks but Trent Grisham’s home run that inning won the game for the Yankees. Final score 4-5.

Max Fried earned his fifth loss of the season in game 3 as the Astros won 7-1. He allowed 4 runs in 5 innings. Jason Alexander held the Yankees to 1 hit in 6 innings.  The Yankees lone run was off a sacrifice fly by Ryan McMahon in the 7th inning.  Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa each hit home runs. Aaron Boone was ejected in the third inning.

Next up for the Yankees is a 3 game series against the Minnesota Twins and a 3 game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ahmed Rosario was placed on the 10-day IL with a shoulder injury.

The Yankees dropped to 6 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East.