Rodon’s fourth-inning meltdown and Aaron Judge’s cold bat fuel Yankees fans’ criticism in ALDS Game 2

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The New York Yankees suffered a frustrating 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, leaving Yankees fans fuming and directing their criticism at key players, particularly Aaron Judge and Carlos Rodon. With the series now tied 1-1, the Yankees’ sluggish offense and a disastrous fourth inning by Rodón became the primary talking points as fans voiced their disappointment following another postseason letdown.

Carlos Rodon’s collapse sparks fan outrage

Carlos Rodon entered his postseason debut with high expectations, and for the first three innings, it looked like he might deliver. He was sharp, keeping the Kansas City Royals at bay with a mix of powerful fastballs and sharp breaking pitches. But everything unraveled in the fourth inning. After Salvador Pérez launched a solo home run, Rodon struggled to regain control. A single by Yuli Gurriel, followed by a wild pitch, set the stage for more damage. Tommy Pham’s go-ahead single and Garrett Hampson’s two-out RBI extended the Royals’ lead to 3-1, forcing Yankees manager Aaron Boone to pull Rodón from the game.

Yankees fans were quick to express their disappointment, with some pointing out that Rodón’s postseason debut was a letdown. “I was actually looking it up last night Rodon has pitched in the playoffs twice before first time was a relief appearance where he didn’t record an out the other he went 2.2 IP. Why were we all, myself included, so desperate to pay this guy?,” one fan posted on social media.

Another fan remarked, “Carlos Rodon took his clean slate for the postseason and ruined it. A miserable start from a guy who can’t handle the big stage.” The frustration was palpable, as many believed Rodón’s collapse was the turning point that doomed the Yankees in Game 2.

Aaron Judge struggles continue in postseason

Aaron Judge, the face of the Yankees franchise, once again found himself under scrutiny after another underwhelming postseason performance. In Game 2, Judge went 1-for-3 with a walk but struck out for the fourth time in nine at-bats this series. The Yankees captain has struggled to find his form in October, and his inability to deliver in critical moments is becoming a growing concern for fans who expect him to lead the team.

Many Yankees fans took to social media to express their frustration with Judge’s continued postseason struggles. “Aaron Judge has the worst strikeout rate in MLB postseason history. This is not the guy we need leading us right now,” one fan posted. Others echoed similar sentiments, with another fan remarking, “Judge is supposed to be our leader, but he’s gone ice-cold in the playoffs. We can’t win like this.” The criticism of Judge is mounting as fans grow increasingly impatient with his postseason woes.

Yankees offense leaves fans frustrated

Beyond the individual performances, Yankees fans were overall frustrated by the team’s lack of offense in Game 2. Despite a late solo home run by Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the ninth inning, the Yankees’ bats failed to get going, leaving fans exasperated at the familiar postseason narrative of a struggling lineup. The team managed just seven hits and couldn’t capitalize on the few opportunities they had, allowing Kansas City to even the series.

“The Yankees’ offense in the postseason is always the same story. We can’t hit when it matters,” one fan vented. Another fan lamented, “This has been a microcosm of the Yankees in the postseason the last 14 years. The offense being lifeless once again with nothing to show for it.” As the Yankees head into Game 3, the pressure is mounting not only on the players but on the entire lineup to find the spark that has been missing so far in the series.

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