Montas Struggled Against the Cardinals on Sunday, Allowing 6 Runs in 3 Innings of Work
The Yankees signed Frankie Montas ahead of this week’s trade deadline, adding a No 2 starter who is capable of leading this team to win every 5 days.
Montas made his first appearance in a Yankees uniform on Sunday in St. Louis, where he was called upon to end New York’s first 4-game losing streak of the season.
Since before the deadline on Tuesday, the anticipation for Montas’ debut was palpable prior to first pitch, the type of spark that was poised to propel this club to its first victory.
At Busch Stadium, that energy quickly faded for those in road grays during the first few innings.
Montas looked nothing like the ace-caliber starter New York traded for, pitching only 3 innings and allowing 6 runs on 5 hits. The 29-year-old walked 3 batters while striking out 2 in New York’s 12-9 loss.
Montas faced the first batter in the bottom of the first inning showed that the starter wasn’t at his best on Sunday.
Montas got ahead of Dylan Carlson before leaving a 2-strike splitter over the heart of the plate, which Carlson drove to left field for a single. One batter later, after cruising to a 0-2 count against Brendan Donovan, Montas lost control of a fastball and plunked the designated hitter, putting runners on first and second.
That’s when New York’s early one-run lead was squandered. With one out, Nolan Arenado singled to left, bringing Carlson home.
St. Louis scored 5 runs on Montas in the 2nd inning, putting an end to New York’s 3-run surge to take the lead in the first. Montas walked 3 batters to set up Arenado’s 3-run HR into the visitor’s bullpen.
Montas was not considered in the decision on Sunday as both clubs battled back.
If Montas’ shaky start and poor first impression are any consolation, finished his quick outing with a scoreless 3rd inning.
In addition, Montas’ fastball was averaging 96 mph and reached 97.9 mph at one point. That’s an encouraging sign considering the starter battled shoulder inflammation, a red flag the Yankees thoroughly investigated before agreeing to the 6 player deal that brought Montas to the Bronx.
It’s also important to give Montas some leeway. Not only is he coming off an injury scare earlier this month, as well as a trade that ended his 6-year stint with the Athletics, but He began his Yankees career on the bereavement list after losing a family member..
Montas hadn’t pitched in nearly 2 weeks, having pitched 5 innings of 2-run ball against Houston on July 26. He’s eager to show what he’s truly capable of now that he’s acclimated to his new team, shaking off rust and rebuilding his stamina.
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