The Yankees expected a great start from Cam Schlittler. They really did not get one. If they do not get strong starts from their starting pitchers, they will struggle to score runs. In this game, in the fifth inning, Randal Grichuk grounded out to Richie Palacios. He made a great play, which summarized the Yanks’ season recently.
The first 14 Yankees were retired by the Tampa Bay starter, Drew Ramussen. He out-pitched Schlittler, which was unexpected. However, Joe Girardi, who was doing the color commentary of the game on the YES Network, said he has great stuff. Did you think Rasmussen would outpitch Schlittler?
Yankees and Rays Game Summary
The story of this game was Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher Drew Rasmussen outpitching Schlittler. The Yankees need to win all games started by Max Fried and Schlittler. In this series, they won neither and got swept. Their offensive woes, for a team that led the Majors in runs last year, are inexcusable.
Another big story in this game, related to the offensive futility of the Yankees, is that the Tampa Rays retired the first 14 Yankee batters in the game. The “Bronx Bombers” are certainly not living up to their moniker.
Tommy John Surgery
Rasmussen, who spellbound the Yankees and was complimented for his perfect mechanics, is a veteran of three Tommy John surgeries. It is getting more and more commonplace for pitchers to come back from having Tommy John surgery better than they were before it. This injury used to be a death sentence for pitchers.
Rasussen had not thrown in the last 10 days because of the birth of his daughter. Schlittler pitched five innings. He gave up three runs and seven hits. He walked his first batter of the season. He struck out nine batters. He was relieved by Tim Hill, which seems to happen a bunch.
Rasmussen pitched six innings. He gave up one hit, and he struck out seven. The first batter against Tampa reliever Cole Sulser, Ben Rice, doubled. Then Aaron Judge walked, and Cody Bellinger singled. It was good that Rasmussen was removed from the game.
13 In a Row
The Yankees are in the middle of 13 games in a row. They are not off until next Monday. It is a shame that the Yankees are struggling offensively and could use a day off. They will not get it. They return home tomorrow to begin a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels. Mike Trout will lead the Angels.
The Game Within the Game
Baseball is like church; many attend, and few understand. Much is going on in a baseball game, but people miss it on television. Players are moving based on the tendency of the batters and what the defense wants to do.
However, that is not what we want to highlight here. In the sixth inning, Giancarlo Stanton pinch-hit for the struggling Grichuk. Immediately, the Rays changed their pitcher. Then, because the new Rays pitcher, Kevin Kelly, is right-handed, the Yankees pinch-hit for the struggling JC Escarra with Austin Wells. It remains the case that both Grichuk and Escarra do not have a hit on the season. The Yankees scored another run in all this, but the Rays’ pitchers retired both Stanton and Wells.
Chandler Simpson
Predictably, speed kills. Chandler Simpson is leading the American League in batting average. In this game, he was 3-of-4 with two singles, a stolen base, and a triple. His batting average is going up, and he is off to an MVP-type season.
