Aaron Judge's 28th HR isn't enough as the Yankees fall to the Reds 5-3 on June 23. A bullpen collapse spoils a solid start in another tough team loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of frustrating contradictions in Cincinnati. Aaron Judge looked every bit the MVP, launching his 28th home run to snap a personal slump. Starter Allan Winans gave the team a chance to win. And yet, the Yankees still found a way to lose, falling 5-3 to the Reds as the bullpen once again couldn't hold the line. It's a familiar story in what's becoming a challenging stretch for the Bronx Bombers.
'We’ve just got to focus on the little things — think small, big things come.' - Aaron Boone on the team's recent offensive struggles.
For nearly six innings, things looked promising. Allan Winans navigated the Reds' lineup effectively, allowing just two runs on five hits. The Yankees offense, while not explosive, did enough to keep it close with RBI singles from Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger. Then, in the sixth, the captain stepped up. Aaron Judge, mired in a tough 3-for-24 stretch, crushed a solo shot to remind everyone why he's leading the league in just about everything. But the good feelings evaporated in the seventh inning. With Jonathan Loáisiga on the mound, Reds speedster Elly De La Cruz ripped a go-ahead two-run double, putting Cincinnati ahead for good and handing the Yankees another bullpen loss.
The loss marks the Yankees' fourth defeat in their last five games, and the offense continues to be a point of concern. The team is batting a paltry .164 over its last six contests, a stat that prompted Manager Aaron Boone to address the slump head-on before the game. His message was one of patience and fundamentals. 'We’ve just got to focus on the little things — think small, big things come,' Boone told reporters. Despite the skid, it's not time to panic. The Yankees (45-33) still sit atop the AL East, and their 99.1% playoff odds, per Baseball-Reference, show that the foundation for a successful season remains firmly in place.
In a move that could directly address the recent bullpen volatility, the Yankees activated right-hander Clarke Schmidt from the injured list prior to Monday's game. Schmidt, out since late May with a forearm strain, is expected to begin his return in a relief role, which could provide a much-needed steady hand. To make room, the team optioned Ron Marinaccio to Triple-A. While Schmidt's return is welcome news, the pressure is on for the entire relief corps to step up and close out games, something that has been a glaring issue during this recent rough patch.
While the big-league club struggles for consistency, the future is looking incredibly bright. The farm system put on a power display over the weekend, led by catcher Agustin Ramirez's incredible three-homer game for Double-A Somerset. He wasn't alone. Top prospects Spencer Jones (No. 2), Roderick Arias (No. 4), and Ben Rice (No. 12) all went deep for their respective clubs. Arias had a particularly monstrous day for Single-A Tampa, adding a three-run triple to finish with a career-high six RBIs. It's a powerful reminder that the next wave of talent is on its way.
One game doesn't define a season, but this loss stings. The Yankees need to heed their manager's advice and get back to basics. With two games left in Cincinnati, they have an immediate chance to right the ship, turn the series around, and prove that this recent slump is just a bump in the road. All eyes will be on the offense tomorrow to see if they can finally break out and give their pitchers the support they need.
