Frustration bubbled over among fans during the Yankees’ game on Tuesday. Their disappointment seemed to overshadow even the struggling team’s poor performance.
It’s become quite concerning. The Yankees’ lineup has been noticeably absent, registering three straight shutouts. On Tuesday, they extended their scoreless streak to 29 innings, ultimately losing 4-0 against the Angels in front of 35,278 spectators.
Despite having the highest runs scored in the American League (370), their last addition to that total was during Saturday’s game against Boston.
Now, with a record of 42-30, the Yankees have dropped five games in a row— a season low—as their once potent lineup falters simultaneously.
Aaron Judge found himself in an unusual slump, going hitless and striking out three times in Tuesday’s match, which was surprising given his earlier success this season.
The rest of the team seems to reflect this struggle; they managed only four hits—all while leaving five players stranded on base.
There was a fleeting opportunity in the first inning when Cody Bellinger managed to hustle to second base with a double, but they failed to capitalize. Giancarlo Stanton couldn’t deliver in that situation.
In the third inning, Jasson Domínguez, the new leadoff man, reached base and even stole second. But the advance didn’t lead to anything significant as Bellinger then struck out, which increased the collective groan from the crowd.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t create another chance after that.
The Yankees faced 35-year-old Kyle Hendricks, who, despite struggling with a 5.20 ERA since his return, held them off for six innings.
Throughout their recent games, the Yankees have faced a mix of tough pitchers, including impressive performances from a Cy Young Award winner and others who have kept the Yankees’ bats quiet.
While Will Warren pitched well, striking out a career-high 11 batters in six innings and allowing only three runs, the damage was done. One of those runs stemmed from a well-placed ball that slipped through the infield.
Since DJ LeMahieu returned last month, he’s adjusted back to second base, pushing Jazz Chisholm Jr. to third. This decision faced scrutiny during the game, particularly in the second inning when a double from Logan O’Hoppe led to a run after Chisholm failed to field an important ball, which allowed O’Hoppe to score.
Chisholm attempted to redirect a tricky single later on, showing determination but still struggling to frame the ball effectively. Notably, despite the rough patches, Warren showcased resilience by retiring the next 11 batters he faced after the hiccup, effectively regrouping and relying on a mix of fastballs and sinkers.
