Yankees: Mariners and MLB lower the boom on sluggish team

The New York Yankees lost a game last that very much resembled one played during the Second Season, when good pitching and timely hitting spells victory. As if that weren’t enough, MLB lowered the discipline boom on the team for their childish play the night before.

The New York Yankees took a hard one on the chin last night, losing to the Seattle Mariners in extra innings. Receiving only one-half of the needed combination, the new ageless wonder of baseball, CC Sabathia, turn in a near perfect seven innings of work, only to have the game overturned once again by Aroldis Chapman, who surrendered to go ahead home run in the top of the eleventh inning.

For, Joe Girardi, Chapman is the least of his problems, though, as he watched the Yankees turn in an offensive performance that can only be described as feeble.

Stunned Silence

Leaving anyone watching the game in stunned silence, the “Bombers” received eight walks, left thirteen men on base, and went 0-12 with runners in scoring position. With thanks to the Orioles who beat the Red Sox, the Yankees remain 4.5 games behind the Sox while their lead in the Wild Card Race dwindled to 2.5 games.

And to add misery to discomfort, Major League Baseball wasted no time in handing out sentences for what Girardi called “boys being boys”, levying fines against six Yankees and suspensions to Gary Sanchez (four games) and Austin Romine (two games) for their roles in the melee.

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Somehow, Dellin Betances escaped neither a fine or suspension, though, at this point, we’ll take it. Everyone, of course, is appealing and until the appeals are decided, both Sanchez and Romine will be available to play.

Of the two, only Romine stands a chance of winning his appeal as his defense would be self-defense when Miguel Cabrera initially shoved him forcibly. If Romine loses his appeal, though, it means the Yankees have no catcher for two games.

Creating a potential nightmare for Brian Cashman, the only other catcher on the Yankees 40-man roster is Kyle Higashioka, who is currently on the DL at Triple-A Scranton.

Too little much too late, Sanchez could only offer these words to MLB.com:

"“I’m not going to feel good about that,” Sanchez said before Friday’s Yankees game against the Mariners in New York. “That’s four games that I’m not going to be able to help the team, and I know that they’re going to need me. It’s not a good feeling.”"

He’s not feeling too good about that. Huh, how do you think we feel, Gary? Not to mention, your teammates. Growing pains? No, pennant race!

Yankees under the microscope

And it wouldn’t be fair or accurate to paint the overall state of the Yankees anything other than what it is, which, at the moment is glum. And I wouldn’t want to be Greg Bird walking into the Yankees clubhouse today for the first time since May 1, with all eyes my way as the “savior” for a team going haywire in just a matter of days.

My heart and head still tell me, for what it’s worth, the team will make the playoffs. But from what the team is showing, serious doubts exist as to whether they make some noise once they get there.

Next: Who's in line for a call-up on September 1

Needless to say, the Yankees need the next two against Seattle before the real test of the season begins when they face the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox, both at home, for seven critical and potentially decisive games.

Resilient, yes they have been that. But the real test of the 2017 Yankees is just around the corner.

As always, I invite you to share your thoughts and comments about this story or anything Yankees on the Yanks Go Yard Facebook page.

The New York Yankees lost a game last that very much resembled one played during the Second Season, when good pitching and timely hitting spells victory. As if that weren’t enough, MLB lowered the discipline boom on the team for their childish play the night before.

Stunned Silence

More from Yanks Go Yard

Yankees under the microscope

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