Main Menu

Home›Baseball›Yankees Head into All-Star Break with Series Loss to Cubs
Yankees' 2024 rotation

Yankees Head into All-Star Break with Series Loss to Cubs

Baseball, New York Yankees, Professional

The New York Yankees haven’t looked like a championship team all season long, and it was even more noticeable in the most recent series against the Chicago Cubs. 

The Boys from the Bronx were hoping to come off a disappointing series tie against the Baltimore Orioles with a series win to get back on track heading into the All-Star Break, but they couldn’t get the job done (like most games this year). 

The offense struggled at the plate, especially with runners on base. Their lack of capitalization on offense left their pitchers out to dry. Poor defensive plays and errors fueled the series loss, along with poor bullpen management by Aaron Boone.

The roller coaster of a season for the Yankees gets a bit of a break with the All-Star Game taking place this coming week. Hopefully, the break will serve the team well and they can figure out a lot of soft spots and struggles.

Game 1 Recap

Carlos Rodón (0-0) took the mound for the Yankees for the first game of the Chicago series against the former Yankee Jameson Taillon (2-6). 

First Inning

Rodón, in his Yankee debut, looked strong in the top of the first, going 1-2-3 through the Cubs starting three (two fly balls, strikeout). 

On the offensive side, the Yankees did not start great, with Anthony Volpe lining out to start the inning. Gleyber Torres followed with a single to center field. The base hit didn’t matter though as Anthony Rizzo lined out and Giancarlo Stanton striked out, stranding Torres.

Second Inning

Rodón continued his success in the top of the second inning, once again going 1-2-3 through the Cubs lineup (foul pop fly, two fly balls).

In the bottom of the second, the Yankees continued to struggle going down in order 1-2-3. Harrison Bader led off with a strikeout, Josh Donaldson followed with a fly ball and Billy McKinney followed that with a groundout. 

Third Inning

The top of the third did not start off how Rodón would have liked, as he gave up a leadoff home run to Cody Bellinger. The Cubs grabbed a 1-0 lead.

Rodón thankfully responded by getting the next two batters out by forcing a fly ball and groundout. Before the inning was over Rodón gave up one more hit, a single by Nico Hoerner. Volpe almost made a great play on the hit, but he didn’t have enough juice on the throw.

Rodón ended the inning by forcing another groundout right after. On offense, the Yankees had no response, going down in order again. Kyle Higashioka led off with a lineout, Fanchy Cordero grounded out and Volpe ended the inning with another groundout.

Fourth Inning

Rodón bounced back in the top of the fourth, retiring the Cubs lineup in order. Rodón struckout the leadoff batter and forced back-to-back fly balls to end the inning. 

The Yankees' bats kept quiet in the bottom of the fourth as Torres' pop flies and Rizzo and Stanton ground out. 

Fifth Inning

The top of the fifth was a whirlwind for Rodón, as he did not have his best stuff. Rodón started the inning with a leadoff walk, and then followed with a pop fly, walk and a groundout before allowing a single to right field that let a runner score.

The Cubs boosted their lead to 2-0. Rodón was able to end the inning, forcing the next batter to ground out. Volpe made another nice play to ensure the out.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Bronx Bombers were still asleep as Bader and Donaldson strikeout. McKinney was able to work a good at bat, getting a walk, but it was wasted as Higgy lined out.

Sixth Inning

Rodón started the top of the sixth on the mound and did not look great. He allowed a leadoff single and then threw a wild pitch to move the runner on first to second. 

Rodón was able to force a groundout by the next batter, but Boone had seen enough. Rodón, in his debut, went for 5 1/3 innings and allowed four hits, two earned runs, two walks and recorded two strikeouts. 

Ian Hamilton replaced Rodón to finish the inning. Hamilton walked the first batter, but was able to escape the inning with a double play.

The bottom of the sixth was another 1-2-3 for the Yankees on offense, as Cordero grounded out, Volpe lined out and Torres hit a fly ball.

Seventh Inning

Ron Marinaccio took the mound in the top of the seventh for the Yankees and looked awful. He allowed a leadoff single to Bellinger, who eventually stole second during the next at bat.

However, Marinaccio responded with a strikeout. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as Marinaccio allowed a double to left field which sent Bellinger home to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.

The next batter, Hoerner, was able to make it to first on a fielder's choice, but was caught stealing to end the inning. 

The Yankees' offense yet again had no response going 1-2-3. Rizzo hit a fly ball, Stanton was walked and Bader hit a ground ball which led to a double play to end the inning.

Eighth Inning

Tommy Kahnle took the mound for the Yankees in the top of the eighth and was decent. He allowed a leadoff single to left field, but followed it up by forcing a fly ball. 

Kahnle threw a wild pitch which allowed the runner at first to move to second, but it didn’t matter as he forced a lineout and then struck out the final batter. 

In the bottom of the eighth, the Yankees couldn’t get anything going as the former Yankee, Jameson Taillon, went through the lineup 1-2-3. Taillon forced three groundouts from Doanldson, McKinney and Higgy. 

Taillon was great for the Cubs, as he threw EIGHT scoreless innings and only allowed one hit and two walks.

Ninth Inning

Clay Holmes took the mound for the top of the ninth and looked as good as he has. He started the inning with a strikeout and followed with a walk, but bounced back with back-to-back strikeouts. 

In the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees were hoping to somehow string together three runs, but it just couldn’t happen. Cordero gave everyone hope with a leadoff single, but the Yanks stranded him as Volpe hit a ground ball which led to a double play, and Torres struck out. The Yankees dropped game one 3-0.

Another disappointing offensive game as the Yankees got shutout and only recorded ONE hit against a pitcher who has struggled all season long. Rodón had a solid start, but the offense couldn’t make up for what he had given up.

The game one win for the Cubs was historic as the Cubs had never won a game in Yankee Stadium ever. The win broke a losing streak that dated all the way back to 1932.

Game 2 Recap

Gerrit Cole (8-2) took the mound for the Yankees for the second game of the Chicago series against the Cubs’ Drew Smyly (7-5). 

First Inning

Cole looked good in the top of the first going 1-2-3 through the Cubs order, forcing two fly outs and one strikeout. 

In the bottom of the first, the Yankees offense looked like it had no life in it as Volpe grounded out and Torres struck out. However, Stanton hit a monster blast to left field to put the Yankees on the board early.

The offense was short-lived as Rizzo grounded out right after. The Yanks ended the inning with a 1-0 lead.

Second Inning

In the top of the second, Cole still looked fine as he started the inning with a groundout. He then allowed a walk and single to right field, setting up runners on first and third. Luckily, Cole was able to escape and end the inning on a groundout.

In the bottom of the second, the Yankees offense recorded some good at-bats, with Donaldson sending the ball over the left field wall to boost the Yankees lead.

DJ LeMahieu followed the Donaldson homer with a double to left field, but unfortunately, the Yanks couldn’t bring LeMahieu home as Isiah Kiner-Falefa struck out and Jose Trevino hit a fly ball. 

Third Inning

Cole didn’t look as sharp in the top of the third, as he allowed a leadoff double to right field. He then grounded out the next two batters, but the ball placement allowed the runner on second to advance to third and then to home plate. The Cubs cut the Yanks lead down to 2-1.

Cole grounded out the next batter to end the inning.

The offense kept rolling in the bottom of the third as Torres hit a single, Stanton earned a walk, Rizzo hit a single and Bader hit a double to left field. Torres and Stanton both scored on Bader’s double, while Rizzo moved to third. The Yankees now led 4-1.

Donaldson was able to earn a walk, which set up runners at first and third, but a ground ball double play by LeMahieu ended the inning and stranded the runners. 

Fourth Inning

In the top of the fourth, Cole bounced back and looked like himself as he went 1-2-3 through the Cubs lineup. He recorded two strikeouts and forced a flyball in the inning.

The Yankees' offense took a bit of a halt in the bottom of the fourth. IKF earned a walk to start the inning off, but a ground ball double play by Trevino erased it. Volpe then earned a walk, but was caught stealing second to end the inning. 

Fifth Inning

Cole continued to perform as he yet again went 1-2-3 through the Cubs lineup. He recorded a strikeout, fly ball and groundout in the inning.

The Yankees offensively got hot again in the bottom of the fifth as Torres hit a leadoff single, but an errant throw allowed him to advance to second.

Stanton followed with a homer to right field to boost the Yankees' lead to 6-1.

Unfortunately, the Yanks couldn’t build off of it going 1-2-3 with a ground out (Rizzo), strikeout (Bader) and a pop fly (Donaldson). 

Sixth Inning

Cole kept bringing the heat in the top of the sixth, as he forced three groundouts by the Cubs to end the inning.

The bottom of the sixth saw no action from the Yankees bats as LeMahieu grounded out, IKF struck out and Trevino hit a fly ball. 

Seventh Inning

In the top of the seventh, Cole looked solid as he allowed a single and recorded a lineout, strikeout and groundout. 

The Yankees offense wasn’t much more productive as Volpe grounded out, Torres was walked, while Stanton and Rizzo both lined out. 

Eighth Inning

Cole stayed on the mound for the top of the eighth and recorded a groundout before he allowed a single, wild pitch and then finally a homerun. The Cubs cut the lead down to 6-3.

Cole’s night was finished after going 7 1/3 innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs, one walk and recorded five strikeouts. 

Michael King replaced Cole and ended the inning quickly with a strikeout and groundout. 

The Yanks went down in order in the bottom of the eighth as Bader grounded out, Donaldson struckout and LeMahieu grounded out.

Ninth Inning

King stayed on the mound for the top of the ninth with the hope to end the ballgame and he did just that. King forced a groundout and fly ball before he hit a batter with a pitch. 

All was good though as King was able to force a fly ball during the next at bat to end the game. Bader had tremendous hustle to make the play.

The Yanks come out with a much needed win 6-3. A lot of positives were shown on both the offensive and defensive side. The Yanks head into game three with the hope to get back in the series win column.

Game 3 Recap

Domingo Germán (5-5) took the mound for the Yankees for the third and final game of the Chicago series against the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks (3-3). 

First Inning

Germán started the top of the first strong going 1-2-3 through the Cubs lineup with two strikeouts and a groundout. 

The Yankees' offense got right to work in the top of the first with a leadoff single by Torres. Stanton then grounded out, but it didn’t affect Torres advancing to second. Right after Rizzo doubled to right field, allowing Torres to score to grab an early 1-0 lead.

No more action was seen in the inning as Bader popped out to first and Donaldson fouled out to the catcher.

Second Inning

The top of the second was solid for Germán, as he forced a groundout by the leadoff batter. Germán walked the second batter, but was able to force another ground out which turned into a double play, ending the inning.

In the bottom of the second, the Yankees had some good at bats. McKinney started the inning off with a lineout, but LeMahieu followed it up with a single to left field. 

Volpe grounded to the shortstop and a fielder's choice got LeMahieu out at second, but Volpe safe at first. Higgy then singled to right field and Volpe advanced to third. The Yanks were unable to send Volpe home as Torres grounded out to end the inning.

Third Inning

Germán looked hot in the top of the third as he went 1-2-3 again through the Cubs lineup. Germán struck out two batters and forced a foul out. 

The Yankees showed some flashes of good in the bottom of the third as Bader singled after Stanton and Rizzo struck out. Bader stole second and Donaldson reached first on an infield single, which moved Bader to third. 

The Boys from the Bronx couldn’t capitalize with runners in scoring position as McKinney popped out to end the inning. 

Fourth Inning

In the top of the fourth, Germán kept it rolling as he struck out two batters and forced a groundout to retire the Cubs lineup 1-2-3 and end the inning. 

In the bottom of the fourth, the Yankees also went down 1-2-3 as LeMahieu and Volpe grounded out and Higgy struck out.

Fifth Inning

Germán did not start the fifth how he would have liked, as he gave up a leadoff home run to tie the game at 1-1.

Germán got it together after and went 1-2-3 through the rest of the lineup (two fly outs and one strikeout).

The Yankees started the bottom of the fifth hot thanks to an infield single by Torres. Torres then stole second, but his efforts were for nothing as Stanton struck out, while Rizzo and Bader lined out. 

Sixth Inning

The top of the fifth was solid for Germán as he walked the first batter, but struck out the second, lined out the third and struck out the fourth to end the inning. 

The bottom of the sixth was great for the Yankees as McKinney singled before Volpe sent a blast to left field. The two-run shot gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead.

The offense wasn’t done yet as Higgy went yard to right field for back-to-back homers for the Yankees to bump the lead to 4-1.

After a pitching change by the Cubs, the scoring run was over for the inning as Torres grounded out.

Seventh Inning

Germán started the top of the seventh on the mound, but was quickly taken off after allowing a leadoff walk. An interesting choice by Boone as Germán had not thrown that many pitches and was still looking good.

Germán went for 6+ innings and allowed one hit, one earned run, three walks and nine strikeouts. Another great performance for Germán when the Yankees needed it.

Hamilton replaced Germán and started strong, forcing a foul out, but quickly the inning started to slip away as the next batter singled to right. 

During the next at bat, Hamilton forced what should have been a double play ground ball, but Torres botched it and the Yanks got no outs to load the bases for the Cubs

Kahnle went in and replaced Hamilton mid inning. On Kahnle’s first batter faced he forced a groundout, but it allowed a runner to score and the runners at first and second to advance to second and third to cut the lead to 4-2.

The next batter then singled allowing runners on second and third to score to tie the game at four.

Kahnle forced another groundout to end the inning. The error by Torres turned out to be very important as three runs wouldn’t have scored if the play was made.

The Yanks didn’t have much to show in the bottom of the seventh besides for two walks earned by Stanton and Donaldson. Rizzo and McKinney lined out while Bader struck out.

Eighth Inning

Marinaccio took the mound for the Yankees to start the top of the eighth and looked horrible. He allowed a single by the leadoff batter and then allowed back-to-back walks to load the bases.

Boone had seen enough as he called into the bullpen. Holmes replaced Marinaccio and Holmes did not look like himself.

He allowed a sacrifice fly which allowed the runner at third to score and the runner at second to advance to third to give the Cubs a 5-4 lead. 

Holmes then threw a wild pitch, which allowed the runner at third to score to increase the lead to 6-4.

Holmes was able to get out of the inning, striking out the one batter then forcing a ground out by the next. 

The Bronx Bombers were nowhere to be found in the bottom of the eighth as LeMahieu fouled out and Volpe struck out. Higgy gave some hope after he hit a single to left field, but Torres lined out, which ended the inning and stranded Higgy.

Ninth Inning

Nick Ramirez took the mound for the Yankees in the top of the ninth and he did not look good. Ramirez allowed a leadoff infield single (runner then stole second) and then a sacrifice to get runners on first and third. 

Ramirez then allowed a double to right which allowed the runner at third to score and the runner at first to move to third to boosted the lead to 7-4.

Before Ramirez was taken out, he was able to ground out a batter for the first out of the inning. Clark Schmidt came in to replace Ramirez and he looked good as he struck out one batter and forced a groundout by the other.

The Yankees had nothing left in the tank as they went down 1-2-3 with the game on the line. Stanton grounded out, while Rizzo and Bader lined out.

An extremely frustrating loss as the Yankees had a solid 4-1 lead up until the seventh inning. The pitching choices by Boone were questionable all day and the offense couldn’t hit when it mattered most, leading to an easily winnable series. On top of that routine plays were botched by careless errors.

The Yankees head into the All-Star Break out of a playoff spot and just one game up on the Red Sox for last place in the AL East. If the Yanks don’t figure it out soon their season might be over before it's even done.

Up Next

Three game series at the Colorado Rockies.

  • July 14th at 8:40 pm EST on TBD
    • NYY Pitcher: Rodón
  • July 15th at 8:10 pm EST on TBD
    • NYY Pitcher: Schmidt
  • July 16th at 3:10 pm EST on TBD
    • NYY Pitcher: Cole
Ashley Moynahan
Latest posts by Ashley Moynahan (see all)
Tags#ALEast#NewYorkAaron BooneAnthony RizzoAnthony VolpebaseballCarlos RodonDJ LeMahieuGerrit ColeGiancarlo StantonHarrison BaderIsiah Kiner-FalefaJose TrevinoKyle HigashiokaMLBRon MarinaccioYankees
2023 All-Shore Gridiron Classic
Previous Story

IMAGES: 2023 All-Shore Gridiron Classic

Judge, Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Next Story

Will Judge ever be the same?

Related articles

Recommended Reading

© Copyright Jersey Sporting News. All rights reserved.