Yankees Recap: Offense Asleep in Tigers Series Finale

The Yankees could only muster four hits in Sunday afternoon’s 4-1 loss to the Tigers. The Yanks dropped two out of three– and two in a row– to Detroit after starting the seven-game home stand with a perfect 5-0 record.

Tigers rookie Michael Fulmer continued the dominant start to his big league career, shutting out the Yankees for six innings. The pivotal moment in the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Fulmer allowed a double to Austin Romine, a walk to Jacoby Ellsbury and a 10-pitch walk to Brett Gardner to set up an at-bat with the bases loaded for Carlos Beltran. The rookie had thrown 28 pitches in the inning but he bore down to get the scorching Beltran to fly out to right and strand all three runners.

Fulmer, who came to Detroit in the Yoenis Cespedes trade with the Mets, went six. He allowed just two hits. His record improved to 7-1 and his ERA is down to 2.82. He has now pitched 28.1 consecutive scoreless innings. The brilliant 23-year-old has not only put himself in position to win the Rookie of the Year award, but he should also get strong consideration for an All-Star nod.

It was a 2-0 game in the seventh when Anthony Swarzak came on in relief of Michael Pineda. Swarzak allowed the first batter he faced to reach base. Three pitches later, Ian Kinsler took him deep to put Detroit ahead by four runs. Prior to the game, the Yankees hosted the 70th annual Old-Timers’ Day. The event provides a lot of energy for the fans, but the Kinsler home run served as the proverbial needle popping that balloon. With the way the Yankee offense had looked, it felt like more than just a four-run lead.

Kinsler, who had five RBI on Saturday and two more on Sunday, was a one-man wrecking crew for the Tigers in their series win at Yankee Stadium.

Pineda continued to get his season back on the track despite taking the loss. He didn’t have his best stuff, although his fastball did reach as high as 97 miles-per-hour. In the fourth and fifth innings, the Tigers looked like they were going to mount big rallies, but Pineda surrendered only two runs. They came on a sacrifice fly and a fielder’s choice.

The big moment for Pineda came in the fifth when he allowed the Tigers’ one and two hitters, Kinsler and Cameron Maybin, respectively, to get on with no outs. In a dire situation against a lethal middle of the order, Pineda struck out Miguel Cabrera, induced a ground ball off the bat of Victor Martinez (that scored the second run), and sat J.D. Martinez down on strikes. At 100 pitches, Joe Girardi allowed Pineda to go back out for the sixth. He retired the side in order. Pineda put runners on base in four of his six innings but limited the damage.

All told, Pineda allowed two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out eight. It was the third consecutive strong start for the righty whose ERA is 2.89 over that span. He certainly pitched well enough for the Yankees to win this game.

The lone Yankee run came in the eighth inning against former teammate Justin Wilson. Both Ellsbury and Beltran reached base and Chase Headley‘s single brought the centerfielder in to score. With runners on the corners and two outs, Didi Gregorius failed to extend the mini-rally. It was essentially the final nail in the coffin for the Bombers as Francisco Rodriguez closed it out with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

The Yankees left eight men on base and were just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The loss dips the Yankees’ record back under .500 at 31-32.

After playing for 20 consecutive days, and 40 games in 41 days overall, the Yankees finally have a day off on Monday. When the Yankees resume play on Tuesday, they’ll open up a brief two-game set with the Colorado Rockies in Denver. Nathan Eovaldi (6-2, 4.42 ERA) will take the ball for the Yanks while the Rockies will counter with Jorge De La Rosa (2-4, 8.81 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 EDT.