The New York Yankees (63-50) erased a six-run deficit behind a five-home run barrage, including a go-ahead two-run blast from Luis Garcia Jr. in his Bronx debut, but a disastrous eighth inning by the bullpen sent them to a 13-7 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals (56-57) on Monday night at Yankee Stadium. New York briefly completed an improbable comeback before St. Louis answered with seven runs in the eighth to spoil the rally.
Cam Schlittler never found his command, walking a career-high five batters while allowing four runs over three innings. The Yankees trailed 6-0 before finally breaking through in the fifth when Austin Wells launched a two-run homer, immediately followed by Trent Grisham’s solo shot. Ryan McMahon and Jose Caballero opened the seventh with back-to-back home runs to cut the deficit to one, and Garcia delivered what appeared to be the night’s defining moment, crushing a two-run homer into the Yankees’ bullpen to give New York its first lead at 7-6. Garcia finished 2-for-4 in his team debut, while Wells, Grisham, and McMahon each contributed two-hit performances.
The advantage lasted only a few minutes. Ryan Yarbrough surrendered a leadoff triple before Angel Chivilli entered and allowed Nathan Church’s go-ahead three-run homer. Jimmy Crooks followed with a two-run blast, and Alec Burleson completed his three-homer night with another two-run shot later in the inning as the Cardinals scored seven times in the eighth. Fernando Cruz retired the side in the ninth, but the damage had already been done after New York’s bullpen wasted an offensive performance.
Syracuse football drops road opener at Pittsburgh as costly mistakes continue (full coverage) The Yankees continue the three-game series Tuesday, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Ryan Weathers (3.99 ERA) is expected to start for New York, while the Cardinals have yet to announce a starting pitcher.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.