Throughout much of the season, the Yankees have showcased themselves as the top team in the American League, irrespective of who’s in the lineup or on the injured list.
However, Saturday wasn’t one of those days.
The bats were silent, the defense faltered, and Will Warren’s performance on the mound left much to be desired.
Ultimately, they were defeated 10-2 by the Reds at Yankee Stadium.
Before this game, the Yankees had a solid record of winning five of their last six and nine out of eleven games, even while missing key players like Aaron Judge.
Against lefty Andrew Abbott, the Yankees managed just a home run from Paul Goldschmidt in the first inning, and not much else.
Goldschmidt gave the Yankees an early lead with a solo home run to right-center field, bringing in the first run with two outs.
This marked his third home run in five games and fourth in seven.
After striking out two batters in the first inning, Warren allowed Nathaniel Rowe to hit a leadoff double in the second. Nevertheless, Warren held his ground and didn’t let Rowe advance to second.
In the third inning, with one out, Edwin Arroyo hit a double, and Blake Dunn walked. Sal Stewart then hit a double that scored both, putting Cincinnati ahead 2-1.
The Reds further extended their lead in the fifth inning, partly due to errors from the Yankees’ defense.
Arroyo reached on what should have been a routine grounder to short, but a low throw from Anthony Volpe was dropped by Ben Rice at first base.
Following a force out, JJ Brady hit a double to right, leading to Stewart’s sacrifice fly.
Lowe then walked, and Spencer Steer smashed a three-run homer to left, increasing the Reds’ lead to 6-1.
Later in the fifth inning, that same Goldschmidt faced a critical moment, with the bases loaded and two outs. Unfortunately, he struck out, leaving the score at 3-2.
In the sixth, Jose Caballero made an impressive catch deep in left field, saving at least one more run for the Yankees.
Finally, the Yankees found some rhythm in the sixth, with Cody Bellinger and Jason Dominguez connecting for hits.
With two outs and runners in scoring position, right-hander Tejay Antone came on, but Caballero and Jazz Chisholm Jr. couldn’t capitalize, and Volpe ended up hitting into yet another out, finishing with an 0-for-9 in those situations.
Things turned bleak when Ryan Yarbrough allowed four runs in the eighth, prompting the Yankees to bring in position player Max Schumann to bat in the ninth.
