A double whammy for Yankees: Rodon’s shortest outing, offense’s no-show

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The Yankees encountered a tough afternoon at Comerica Park on Saturday, with both Carlos Rodon and the offense struggling in a 4-0 loss to the Tigers.

Rodon, who had been on a roll with a series of solid outings, saw his momentum stall in what turned out to be his shortest start of the season. The Yankees left-hander surrendered four runs over just 3 1/3 innings, laboring through 90 pitches to secure 10 outs.

Carlos Rodon’s performance mirrored the team’s struggles. Despite a strong run after the All-Star break, where he posted a 2.22 ERA over four starts, the Yankees pitcher stumbled against the Tigers. He allowed all four runs with two outs and struggled with extended at-bats.

Detroit pushed Rodon to throw 36 pitches in a three-run second inning and another 30 in a scoreless third. Though he only walked one batter, the Yankees strater faced six full counts, with 24 of his pitches fouled off.

Rodon admitted he didn’t have his best stuff and was disappointed in his inability to keep his team in the game. He took responsibility for putting the Yankees in a 4-0 hole after just two innings.

“Just didn’t have that A-plus stuff,” he said. “I was trying to go out there and compete and I need to be better than that. That was tough, putting the boys down 4-0 after the second.”

The left-hander also acknowledged his frustration with the Tigers’ ability to foul off so many pitches. He noted that he needs to better manage his emotions, understanding that outward displays of frustration only drain energy and don’t help his performance. Rodon emphasized the importance of staying composed and competing effectively, regardless of the situation.

“I was a little reactive to some of the foul balls — I’d like to keep that inward and just go out there and compete and make the next pitch,” the Yankees LHP said. “It’s something I can be better at, for sure. Wasting energy on guys putting up good at-bats and showing my hand is something I need to be better at.”

Rodon’s shortest start amplified by quiet Yankees bats

Yet, it was the Yankees’ lackluster offense that truly defined the day. The bats remained mostly dormant, managing only four hits—three of them singles, with Oswaldo Cabrera contributing two. The Tigers’ pitching, spearheaded by rookie right-hander Keider Montero, effectively shut down the Yankees’ lineup.

Montero, who entered the game with a 5.76 ERA across his first 10 major league appearances, delivered a standout performance. He held the Yankees scoreless over five innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out five.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the team’s offensive struggles, noting how well the Tigers’ pitching had stifled them throughout the series. He emphasized the need for the team to regroup and refocus ahead of the next game.

“Whoever they’ve had out there — [Friday] night even, too, we hit a couple balls out of the ballpark, but into today, they’ve held us down, flat-out,” the Yankees skipper said. “We didn’t mount much today at all. It’s a team that’s been doing a pretty good job of limiting runs, especially lately and doing it in creative ways. But we just got flat beat on the pitching side today and it doesn’t get any easier [Sunday]. We’ve got to turn the page and get after it.”

The series finale, set for Sunday night in Williamsport as part of the Little League Classic, presents another challenge for the Yankees (73-51) as they prepare to face AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal. However, there is a possibility that bad weather could push the game to Monday back at Comerica Park.

Boone stressed the importance of moving on from this loss and getting ready for the next game, understanding that their offensive struggles could continue against elite pitching.

The Yankees’ offensive woes continued through the first two games against the Tigers, where they managed just nine hits in total. Saturday’s 4-0 loss marked their seventh shutout of the season, underscoring ongoing struggles at the plate.

Scoring opportunities were few and far between for New York. Before Aaron Judge’s leadoff double in the ninth inning— their only extra-base hit of the game— the Yankees had only one chance with a runner in scoring position. This came in the second inning when they put runners on the corners with two outs, but Ben Rice’s flyout ended the threat.

Giancarlo Stanton stressed the importance of staying disciplined at the plate and taking advantage of opportunities, regardless of a pitcher’s past performance.

Manager Aaron Boone defended his team’s approach, stating that he had no issues with the quality of their at-bats. He acknowledged the significance of the game and affirmed that the team was focused, but admitted that they simply didn’t execute well enough.

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