After a sweep by the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Yankees are melting down. From Aaron Boone criticizing Carlos Rodon, to Tommy Kahnle throwing a fit.
When it seems like the New York Yankees couldn't reach a new low, they have reached rock bottom. Well, at least for now.
The Yankees had already not won a single series in July. But on Wednesday, they were facing the potential of getting swept by the Los Angeles Angels for the first time since 2009. All the Yankees needed to do was to get some hits and play some clean baseball. Not to mention, needed a solid start from Carlos Rodon.
Instead, the Yankees lost 7-3 to the Angels on Wednesday. Rodon got shelled early on in the game, surrendering six runs by the third inning. Even though the Yankees were able to get eight hits, they left nine runners on base. And with that, the Yankees are on a four-game losing streak, have just one win since returning from the All-Star break, and continue to solidify their spot in last place in the AL East.
Let's just say that the Yankees had a bit of a meltdown.
Yankees: Aaron Boone calls out Carlos Rodon for taunting fans
As mentioned earlier, Rodon was shelled early on. He allowed four hits, issued five walks, and struck out three batters on 87 pitches through 4.1 innings. During the game, however, Rodon taunted the crowd at Angel Stadium by blowing a kiss.
After the game, Boone was asked about Rodon taunting fans during the game. The manager said that he "would like him not to do that," but did mention that he understood that Rodon was frustrated. That, and he said that the taunt, "prevented him from doing something he didn't want to do, which is yell at a fan."
Rodon was asked about blowing a kiss to the crowd, where he said that it "was the best reaction he could give," but noted that it was probably better to have not reacted at all.
In his first three starts with the Yankees since returning from injury, Rodon has a 0-3 win-loss record and a 7.36 ERA to his credit, while recording 9 strikeouts and 11 walks in just 14.2 innings pitched.
Yankees: Tommy Kahnle goes ballistic on dugout fan during loss to Angels
While first baseman Anthony Rizzo said after their loss on Tuesday that, "it's hard to have fun when you're getting your teeth kicked in." There wasn't much in terms of emotional outbursts during their slump. But that all changed on Wednesday when relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle returned to the dugout.
Kahnle entered in the eighth inning and had a rough go of it. He issued two walks and surrendered an RBI double to Taylor Ward to increase the Yankees' deficit to 7-3.
After the inning ended, Kahnle chucked his glove at New York's dugout fan. As the fan used to cool off the ice-cold Yankees hit the ground, Kahnle proceeded to stomp on it. Boone then talked with Kahnle after his outburst.
Boone said that his discussion with Kahnle was based on the inning and nothing about his outburst.
Aaron Boone admits the Yankees 'stink'
Yankees fans have dreaded the postgame press conferences following losses, due in part to Boone's usual positive outlook on the team, even though they are struggling. That had been the case during their slump. But things all changed on Wednesday night.
Following the game, Boone admitted that the Yankees "stink right now," saying that "we acknowledge that." That did come after a reporter brought up that New York batters struck out 42 times in the three-game set against Los Angeles.
While Boone did say that the team wasn't "very good," but said that there was a silver lining. That silver lining? The usual quote that New York fans groan when they hear after every loss is, "It is right in front of us and we control that."
The team watched Judge run the bases during pregame warmups on Wednesday. The team is 15-22 since the star outfielder and last year's AL MVP crashed through the right field fence at Dodger Stadium and tore a ligament in his right big toe. The stars on the roster were supposed to carry the load with Judge recovering. The opposite has happened, and it looks like Judge's return can't save the team.
With a day off, the Yankees return to the Bronx, where they will host the Kansas City Royals.
