Stanton shows he’s back with spark, but Yankees still stuck in slumber

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Giancarlo Stanton delivered everything the New York Yankees hoped for in his season debut. His bat, however, couldn’t cure what ails the rest of the lineup.

The veteran designated hitter collected two hits in his first game after missing 70 contests with bilateral elbow tendinitis. Yet the Yankees managed just one run across two games, falling 1-0 in 11 innings to the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.

Stanton went 2-for-4 with a fourth-inning single and ninth-inning double. Still, the Bronx Bombers extended their scoreless drought to 20 innings and suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.

Power returns but production doesn’t follow

Starting at designated hitter in the fifth spot, Stanton immediately showed his trademark pop. His fourth-inning single registered 111.1 mph off the bat. The ninth-inning double down the left-field line against Kenley Jansen clocked 102.9 mph.

Both hits went for naught as the Yankees stranded 12 runners and managed just one hit in 18 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

“Great to be back. Obviously, I want to win, but it’s good to be back out there,” Stanton said postgame. “It was a solid first day, and I’ll take it into tomorrow.”

Stanton recognized his missed opportunity in the first inning, when he grounded out hard to third base with two runners on.

“Wrong time [for the hits], needed the one in the first,” he admitted. “But it was good; I squared up some balls, squared up some high velocity, and that was important.”

Boone welcomes back proven slugger

Manager Aaron Boone expressed enthusiasm about Stanton’s return following a three-game rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Somerset. The skipper praised Stanton’s preparation during his lengthy recovery.

“He’s built some good momentum here over the last couple of months,” Boone said. “The strength in his hands and things like that have returned in a good way.”

Despite adding Stanton’s bat, the Yankees couldn’t break through offensively. They’ve been blanked in consecutive games and scored just five runs over their last five contests.

Boone admitted the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring chances.

“We had some leverage there late with a runner on second, and just couldn’t push it [across].”

Yankees’ roster juggling act begins

Stanton’s activation creates a pleasant dilemma for Boone. Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Jasson Domínguez, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt all require regular at-bats. Finding playing time for everyone won’t be simple.

The veteran slugger embraces a team-first approach.

“Whatever is best for us to win, that’s the most important,” he said. “The guys that aren’t starting are going to come up in huge pinch-hit spots, so you’ll have in that opportunity a chance to win the game anyway.”

Boone hinted at using Rice behind the plate to create more roster flexibility.

“At some point, we’ll probably get him back there in a game,” Boone said.

Stanton’s experience and October excellence count

Stanton enters his eighth campaign in pinstripes with a history of overcoming adversity. He batted .233 with 27 homers last season before catching fire in October. His seven postseason home runs across 14 games earned him ALCS MVP recognition.

That clutch performance likely explains the standing ovation Stanton received from the home crowd. The Yankees hope his presence can jumpstart an offense that led the majors in runs early this season.

The 35-year-old completed his rehab stint by going 3-for-11 with one double and four RBIs across three Somerset appearances. The organization proceeded cautiously after PRP treatments in March forced a spring training shutdown.

Stanton’s power remains elite despite his age and injury concerns. His 429 career home runs pace all active players.

Division lead shrinking amid struggles

The Yankees entered Monday’s contest at 42-28 but have faced mounting pressure since their World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The departure of superstar Juan Soto to the crosstown rival Mets in free agency dealt a significant blow to the organization’s championship aspirations.

The Yankees maintain first place in the AL East despite recent setbacks. Their advantage over Tampa Bay has dwindled to 2.5 games following Monday’s loss, which dropped them to 42-29. The cushion isn’t one they can afford to take for granted.

New York is 1-5 in extra-inning games this season and hasn’t scored in 20 consecutive innings. The offensive collapse contrasts sharply with Clarke Schmidt’s excellence. The right-hander tossed 7 ²/₃ scoreless frames Monday, extending his shutout streak to 18 ¹/₃ innings.

The Yankees haven’t held a lead in 39 innings. After getting swept in Boston, they’ve lost four straight for the first time since August 2023.

Late-inning frustration continues

The Yankees’ best scoring opportunity came in the 11th inning. Judge drew an intentional walk before Bellinger’s deep fly moved ghost runner Paul Goldschmidt to third base. Domínguez grounded out, Jazz Chisholm Jr. reached on an infield single, and Anthony Volpe grounded into a force play to end the threat.

Stanton’s individual success couldn’t ignite the broader offensive struggles. Boone will look for better results when his slugger takes his second at-bat of the season.

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