Yankees’ Marcus Stroman regains mojo, stifles Rangers for five innings

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Taking advantage of the delay in his scheduled start, Marcus Stroman put in extra work to fine-tune his pitching mechanics after two rough outings. The additional preparation paid off on Sunday as the Yankees’ right-hander held the Rangers to just one run over more than five innings, helping secure a narrow 8-7 win at Yankee Stadium.

Marcus Stroman acknowledged the challenge of staying at peak form throughout a long season. The Yankees had recognized the need for a reset after Stroman’s previous two starts resulted in 12 runs, 10 of them earned, over just six innings.

Despite issuing three walks on Sunday, Marcus Stroman showed significant improvement compared to his struggles against the Red Sox and Blue Jays. He maintained that his confidence wasn’t shaken, insisting that a couple of rough outings wouldn’t undermine his self-belief.

“It’s hard over the course of a year to be locked in the whole time,’’ the Yankees pitcher said, “I’m not someone who loses confidence after a few outings. Just a lot of things. I’ve been in this game for 10 years. So I feel like I know my body. When I’m off, a lot of it reverts to the weight room. It comes down to feel for me, feeling a certain way on the mound mechanically. Once I feel that way, I can constantly deliver any pitch to the plate.”

However, Marcus Stroman’s recent struggles weren’t limited to just those two starts. After a strong beginning to the season, where he posted a 2.60 ERA over his first 12 appearances, he entered Sunday’s game with a much higher 6.32 ERA in his last 10 games.

Yankees feel Marcus Stroman’s issues are over

Manager Aaron Boone noted that the adjustments Marcus Stroman made to his lower-body mechanics had a positive impact. Boone praised his ability to keep pitches out of the heart of the plate and induce ground balls when needed.

“He was good,’’ the Yankess manager said about the pitcher. ““He stayed out of the heart of the plate a lot more. I thought his stuff was crisp. I probably went a little long with him today because he hasn’t been anywhere near that pitch level in a while. Maybe he was a little tired out there going back out there in the sixth. But I thought he stayed away from dangerous places. He was able to put the ball in the ground.”

Marcus Stroman’s outing ended in the sixth inning after he walked Josh Smith and allowed an RBI double to Corey Seager. Jake Cousins then took over on the mound, successfully keeping the Rangers from scoring further in that inning.

Yankees skipper Boone speculated that Marcus Stroman might have felt fatigued as his pitch count neared 90, especially since his previous two starts had been capped around 60 pitches. Despite his sinker consistently clocking below 90 mph, Stroman once again proved that he could be effective without relying on overpowering velocity.

“Everything athletically speaking starts from the ground up, and I think he was probably getting a little bit out of his legs,” he said. “It’s something he has worked on with a couple of bullpens that he has had. Hopefully, that translates in just being a little more crisper with his stuff and then ultimately his stuff.”

With the rotation still seeking consistency, Marcus Stroman’s return to form could be pivotal for the team. His performance was a marked improvement from his last outing against the Blue Jays, where he was tagged for seven runs in under three innings. This time, he held the Rangers to just one run over five innings.

The Yankees shone both on the mound and at the plate. The offense showcased its power, belting four home runs. Juan Soto led the way with two homers, while Aaron Judge added his 42nd of the season. Giancarlo Stanton delivered a crucial three-run shot in the fifth inning, making the Rangers pay for their decision to intentionally walk Judge.

Though the Yankees scored early in the first inning, the game initially gave no indication it would become a high-scoring affair. However, the offensive momentum built steadily, culminating in a productive day for the Yankees’ lineup.

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