The Yankees found themselves in a challenging spot Wednesday night at Globe Life Field, just hours after manager Aaron Boone hinted at a possible change in the closer role following Clay Holmes’ costly 11th blown save. Despite the anticipation of testing this new bullpen strategy, the opportunity never arose.
Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman struggled mightily, lasting only 3 2/3 innings in a rough outing that forced the Yankees’ bullpen into early action, leading to a 10-6 loss to the Texas Rangers.
Stroman, who had been riding a strong run with a 2.35 ERA over his last four starts following a mechanical tweak in early August, saw his momentum come to an abrupt stop. The timing of his struggles was particularly damaging for the Yankees, who are fine-tuning their rotation and lineup in preparation for October.
Stroman’s performance was a setback, as he allowed five runs on nine hits with one walk and just three strikeouts, dropping his season record to 10-7. Despite recent improvements, such as not allowing a home run in his last six starts after surrendering eight in the previous six, his season stats have taken a hit. He now holds a 4.03 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP, and has logged 105 strikeouts and 58 walks across 143 innings in 27 starts.
Stroman will look to rebound in his next start at home against the Royals, aiming to correct course after a frustrating outing and help stabilize the Yankees’ rotation during a pivotal stretch.
Stroman’s awful outing for Yankees
The Yankees hit a stumbling block Wednesday night at Globe Life Field, as starter Marcus Stroman, who had been in top form recently, struggled to keep his momentum against the Rangers. In front of 32,223 fans, the Yankees fell 10-6 as Texas, led by Nathan Eovaldi facing his former team, largely silenced New York’s bats.
Stroman, riding a strong streak with a 3-0 record and a stellar 2.35 ERA over his previous four starts, faltered early. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on nine hits—matching his season high—putting the Yankees in an early 5-0 deficit.
Reflecting on his outing, Stroman admitted to missing his spots and failing to execute effectively against a disciplined Rangers lineup. He noted that Texas hitters were patient, taking pitches outside the zone and pouncing on mistakes. With his season ERA now at 4.03 and a 10-7 record, Stroman vowed to regroup ahead of his next start.
“Just didn’t execute when I needed to,” he said after the loss. “They got me into some long counts . . . I think they swung it really good today. They were pretty much laying off balls and swinging at balls in the zone. And when they were swinging, they were getting hits. One of those where I feel like I wasn’t on. Just kind of flush it and look forward to the next one.”
The Rangers’ offense got rolling in the second inning when Ezequiel Duran, once part of the Yankees’ system and dealt in the Joey Gallo trade, smacked a double to right, pushing the lead to 2-0. Stroman briefly regained his footing in the third but ran into more trouble in the fourth inning.
Stroman’s struggles continued with back-to-back singles followed by a two-out, two-run double from Wyatt Langford—the same rookie who had crushed the Yankees the night before with a walk-off grand slam. The hit expanded Texas’ lead to 4-0, and Stroman exited shortly after, with the Yankees facing a daunting 5-0 hole that proved too much to overcome.
This loss added another layer of difficulty for the Yankees as they attempt to stay afloat in a critical stretch, with Stroman aiming to bounce back in his upcoming start.
Judge, Boone, Verdugo assure Yankees fans
Following the Yankees’ 10-6 defeat to the Rangers, manager Aaron Boone voiced his frustration over the team’s recent slump, underscoring the need for a turnaround. With six losses in their last eight games and missed opportunities to secure key series wins, Boone emphasized that the Yankees must elevate their play to keep their postseason hopes alive.
“We got to do better than that, we have to play better than we are right now,” the Yankees boss said. “We’ve lost a few series here in a row that we’ve had chances to win all three of them. We know we have to be better than this if we want to get to where we want to go.”
Yankees captain Aaron Judge acknowledged the team’s struggles but remained optimistic. While disappointed by the outcome, he highlighted the importance of maintaining trust and confidence among teammates, believing that they could still reverse their fortunes.
“Stuff like that’s going to happen,” the Yankees captain told. “We’re not happy about it. We’re fighting for the division, fighting for a lot right now, but we just have to keep trusting each other and things are going to go our way.”
The Rangers widened the gap in the seventh inning when Ron Marinaccio, freshly recalled from Triple-A, surrendered two more runs, pushing Texas ahead 10-2. The Yankees mounted a late challenge in the ninth when Trent Grisham, subbing in as a defensive replacement, seized a bases-loaded chance set up by Matt Festa’s walks. Grisham delivered a grand slam off Grant Anderson, briefly reigniting the Yankees’ comeback hopes.
Despite being out-hit 14-8, the Yankees showed resilience in the final frame as the Rangers’ bullpen wobbled, prompting manager Bruce Bochy to call in closer Kirby Yates. The game ended with high drama as Giancarlo Stanton smashed a line drive to left field that seemed destined for the seats, only for rookie Wyatt Langford—already the previous night’s hero with a walk-off grand slam—to make a leaping grab at the wall, denying Stanton a home run and sealing the Rangers’ win.
The loss underscored persistent challenges: the Yankees’ quest to stay in the playoff race amid recent struggles, and the Rangers’ battle to overcome a season of setbacks that have kept them on the fringes of contention.
Nathan Eovaldi, who pitched for the Yankees from 2015 to 2016 with a mixed track record, once again demonstrated his knack for facing his former team. Despite posting a 23-11 record with New York, his 4.45 ERA was less flattering. However, Eovaldi has consistently excelled against the Yankees since leaving the club, and this game was no exception. He delivered a strong seven-inning outing, matching his season-high in innings pitched while allowing just two runs on four hits.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Eovaldi’s command, noting how difficult the right-hander becomes when pitching with a lead. Boone highlighted Eovaldi’s aggressive style, emphasizing his knack for attacking the strike zone, which forces batters to swing rather than wait for mistakes. Boone noted that Eovaldi’s confidence on the mound only grows once he’s ahead, allowing him to dictate the game’s pace.
Alex Verdugo, reflecting on the team’s recent skid, called for composure and perspective, reminding everyone that the Yankees have been competitive in a tight American League race all season. He downplayed the recent series losses as a minor setback and expressed optimism that the team would regain its footing in the upcoming series against the White Sox. Verdugo stressed the importance of taking the season one game at a time to get back on track.
“There’s no reason to panic,” the outfielder said. “We’ve been in this tight AL race all year long. It’s just a couple series. We’re right there. We’re going to go to Chicago, handle business over there and kind of right the ship and kind of take it day by day.”
Verdugo wrapped up his comments by emphasizing the ultimate measure of success: winning games. He acknowledged the pressure and high expectations surrounding the Yankees, especially as they approach the critical stretch of the season, where every victory counts toward their playoff aspirations.
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