* Pending the outcome of the June 2nd make up of Wednesday’s rainout, of course.
Off-day, rainout, whatever. The Yankees’ offense continued to struggle on Thursday night and the result was a 4-2 loss to the Mariners. They have scored more than three runs once in their last five games. Not nearly enough to win in this ballpark with this pitching staff.
No Felix? No Problem
It’s a good thing the rainout pushed Felix Hernandez out of the series, huh? Instead, the Yankees faced rookie lefty Roenis Elias, who pitched about as well as Felix as probably would have. Ten strikeouts and two runs (one earned) in seven innings, plus another seven outs on the ground. The only hard-hit ball I can remember was Jacoby Ellsbury’s homer to leadoff the very first inning. Wasn’t much solid contact after that, if any.
The Yankees pushed their second run across in the sixth inning thanks to a weird two-out error by Robinson Cano, who flipped to second for the force out even though the shortstop wasn’t at the bag. Mark Teixeira beat out the relay to first to extend the inning, then Brian McCann beat the shift with a run-scoring single the other way. All of that happened with two outs. The Bombers left two runners on base in the second and that’s pretty much the only other time they threatened.
Through their first 14 home games this season, the Yankees have scored a total of 47 runs. That’s pretty awful. They’ve scored 65 runs in their 13 road games, for comparison. That just seems like a fluke/small sample size thing than something meaningful — especially since they have a higher AVG, OBP, and OPS+ at home than on the road disregard, I’m an idiot — but it’s still pretty annoying. This club should rake at home. Instead, they got manhandled by Elias and Chris Young. Yuck.
Death by Defense
Hiroki Kuroda was far from great on Thursday night — four runs (three earned) in six innings pretty much defines mediocrity — but he was obviously way better than last time out, though that isn’t saying much. The defense behind him was particularly terrible, as the infield essentially gave the Mariners five outs in the second inning. First Derek Jeter booted a routine leadoff grounder, then they failed to turn a double play, which extended the inning and allowed a run to score.
Kuroda gave up a run in the first inning when Cano doubled on a pitch that was a good six inches off the plate inside (we’ve seen him drill that pitch into the corner for nine years now) and then things kinda came apart in the fourth inning when Brad Miller singled in front of Brett Gardner and Michael Saunders clubbed a ground rule double the other way. Kuroda allowed seven hits but he also struck out seven, including three of the final six batters he faced. His last two innings were awesome, but by then it was too late.
Joe Girardi pulled Kuroda after six innings and 94 pitches because they said they were going to take it easy on him this year. He’s essentially on the Andy Pettitte plan — rarely throwing more than 100 pitches or going out for that one extra batter or two — which is a smart move given his age. Kuroda’s offspeed stuff still isn’t cooperating but seven strikeouts and ten ground balls out of 26 batters faced is encouraging. The infield defense is just a nightmare. That said, results are all that matters and Kuroda isn’t getting them.
Leftovers
Carlos Beltran and Brian Roberts were actually the only players who failed to reach base. Beltran is an 0-for-15 slump. Gardner didn’t have a hit but he did draw a walk. Everyone else in the lineup had exactly one hit and the only player to reach base twice was Teixeira. He singled and walked. Maybe it’s time to bat Gardner leadoff, Ellsbury third, Teixeira cleanup, and push everyone else down a notch? Could be cool. Also, there’s this guy named Kelly Johnson on the bench who might have something to offer.
The bullpen did a fine job in relief of Kuroda, as the trio of Matt Thornton, Adam Warren, and Shawn Kelley retired eight of nine batters faced. The only exception was a ground ball single through the shift off Thornton. Meh. It happens. The relievers gave the offense a chance to get back into the game. Can’t ask them for much more.
Ellsbury’s dinger was his first as a Yankee and his 11th career leadoff homer. It was the team’s first leadoff homer since August 2012. No, they didn’t hit one at all last season. Fun Fact: This year’s team is on pace to hit fewer homers (138) than last year’s (144). That’ll change once the weather warms up. I hope.
Box Score, WPA Graph & Standings
For the box score and video highlights, head over to MLB.com. You can find some more stats and the updated standings at FanGraphs and ESPN, respectively. The Yankee are 1-4 against the Astros and Mariners this year. Good job.
Source: FanGraphs
Up Next
The Rays are coming to town for a three-game series as the Yankees wrap-up their homestand. Lefties Vidal Nuno and David Price will be on the mound Friday night. Check out RAB Tickets if you want to catch that marquee pitching matchup in person.
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