The New York Yankees dropped another tough one Monday night, falling 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in a game that highlighted both their offensive inconsistency and growing urgency ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
Rookie Cam Schlittler took the loss in his third big-league start, allowing three earned runs over 4.1 innings. The right-hander struck out five but also issued four walks and surrendered a two-run homer in the first to All-Star Junior Caminero. Despite showing flashes of the power fastball that earned him a call-up, Schlittler’s command issues proved costly.
New York briefly pulled even in the first, stringing together three singles and drawing a pair of bases-loaded walks to tie the game at two. But that would be the last offensive spark of the night. The Yankees managed just three hits over the final eight innings, failing to capitalize on their few scoring chances.
Brent Headrick provided a bright spot in relief, stranding two runners in the fifth to keep the game within reach. Amed Rosario, making his Yankee debut off the bench, delivered a pinch-hit single in the eighth, but the lineup couldn’t mount a rally.
The loss drops the Yankees to 57-49 and 15-24 since June 13, underscoring the pressure on GM Brian Cashman to address the roster ahead of the trade deadline.
New York looks to bounce back and even the four-game series with the Rays on Tuesday, with Max Fried on the mound. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].