Marcus Stroman has been poor in four of his past six starts and was poor again on Thursday, homering in an 8-4 loss to the Reds at the Stadium.
Stroman regrets saying Spencer Stier hit an outside slider for a three-run homer into right field in the fifth inning.
The right-hander had given up two solo home runs but not many other runs at this point, but the slump in performance from the once-outstanding starting rotation continued.
“I just had to work harder in the fifth inning and create some opportunities,” Stroman said. “I was one pitch away from holding them to two runs. I just didn’t do my job.”
The three home runs he allowed were Stroman’s most this season, tying his career high.
He’s not the only one struggling in that area.
“A lot of our mistakes end up in the stands,” coach Aaron Boone said, “and that’s what kills the game.”
And Stroman’s ERA has risen to 3.58 from 2.73 six games ago.
Stroman also acknowledged that having Cincinnati speedster Ellie de la Cruz on base has been a distraction.
“He definitely needs to be focused,” Stroman said. “He seems to steal bases with ease, so he needs to prioritize timing.” [and] When you take a slide step, you lose a little bit of focus on the hitter.”
Trent Grisham’s misstep in the top of the ninth on Jeimer Candelario’s single to center field was particularly egregious, as Grisham appeared to be in no rush to get after the ball.
“Instead of going to pick the ball up, I just gave it back to them,” Grisham said. “I just made a mistake. It’s frustrating in that situation.”
Grisham plays center field in a similar way to how Gleyber Torres plays second base — casually — and that’s been a loss for both of them recently.
But Boone didn’t disagree with Grisham’s approach.
“It’s one of those moments that looks bad, especially with what we’re going through as a team right now,” Boone said. “And the way Gold Glove winner Trent Grisham plays center field, he’s got a relaxed, easy-going personality.”
Boone acknowledged he was unhappy that Grisham’s error allowed Candelario to advance to second base, but defended the outfielder’s position.
“He has a track record of playing great games, and that’s just the way he plays,” Boone said. “With a slow beat. [and] motor.”
Jon Berti (left calf strain) is expected to be with the Yankees when they open their series at Tampa on Tuesday.
Boone said the infielders will train at the facility and “hopefully” get some at-bats in games.
If all goes well, Berti said, [All-Star] “It’s a break,” Boone added.
The versatile infielder has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury on May 24.
Giancarlo Stanton ran on the field before the game and “we’re just starting to ramp up our baseball activities,” Boone said.
Stanton has been out since June 22 with a left hamstring injury and is not due to return for at least a few weeks.
Boone said there is no set timeline for Stanton’s rehabilitation but that he believes it is “progressing pretty well.”
Austin Wells had a strong showing at the plate with a solo homer in the fifth inning, his fourth home run (and second in his last five games). … Alex Verdugo was a poor performer, going 6 for 47 but had a season-high three hits, including two doubles.
