The New York Yankees dropped their sixth straight game Tuesday night, falling 9-3 to the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium as Cam Schlittler endured the toughest start of his big-league career. The loss dropped New York to 48-37 and capped a disappointing 12-14 June, while Detroit improved to 37-49.
Schlittler ran into trouble immediately, surrendering three home runs in the opening inning after a would-be catch by Spencer Jones carried over the right-center field wall for a homer. Riley Greene followed with a towering blast before Spencer Torkelson added another long ball to stake Detroit to a 4-0 lead. Greene struck again with a two-run homer in the third, and Schlittler exited in the fifth after allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out five. It marked the first time this season he had allowed more than one home run in a start and a career high in earned runs allowed.
Ryan Yarbrough escaped the fifth but saw the game get away after José Caballero’s throwing error prevented an inning-ending double play. James Outman capitalized with a three-run homer to stretch Detroit’s lead to 9-1. Newly recalled Yovanny Cruz provided a bright spot by striking out three over two perfect innings in relief.
Ben Rice supplied New York’s first run with a solo homer in the opening inning against Tarik Skubal. The Yankees added a run on Paul Goldschmidt’s sixth-inning double-play grounder before Jasson Domínguez drove in Amed Rosario with a ninth-inning bloop single. New York finished with four hits after being held to three or fewer in each of its previous four games.
The Yankees close their three-game series against the Tigers on Wednesday at 1:35 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. Will Warren (7-3, 3.75 ERA) is scheduled to face Detroit’s Troy Melton (4-1, 2.39 ERA).
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.