The Yankees were shut out for the seventh time this season and the first time since July 7 as they scraped just four hits in a 4-0 loss to the Tigers on Saturday at Comerica Park.
Here are the takeaways…
-Despite a recent stretch of strong starts, Carlos Rodon just did not have his best stuff on Saturday against the Tigers. The left-hander lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five.
He allowed a ground-rule double followed by an RBI single to Tigers second baseman Colt Keith in the first inning to put the Yankees in a 1-0 deficit. The struggles continued in the second inning, allowing a leadoff double to Spencer Torkelson before Zach McKinstry knocked him in with a two-out single.
Rodon walked the next batter before allowing a double to Andy Ibañez to drive in both baserunners to make it a 4-0 game.
The southpaw ran into trouble again in the third, with runners on the corners, but this time escaped by getting Javier Baez to strike out. He came back out to start the fourth and struck out McKinstry but already at 90 pitches, Aaron Boone lifted him for Jake Cousins.
Rodon was hit hard, too, with five of the seven hits he allowed reaching exit velocities of 99 mph or higher. All of his runs allowed also came with two outs.
-The Yankees offense did not fare much better against 23-year-old Keider Montero, who entered the game with a 5.76 ERA. The right-hander kept the Yanks’ bats at bay, holding them to just two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings while striking out five.
Montero’s biggest challenge came in the third inning with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge at the plate and a runner on, but the rookie got Soto to strikeout swinging at a changeup before Judge grounded out to short to end the threat.
-The Yankees made some noise in the ninth inning with a leadoff double from Judge and a two-out walk by Alex Verdugo. Anthony Volpe came up next and drove the ball deep into left field, but not deep enough as Tigers left fielder Matt Vierling caught at the wall to end the ballgame.
-If you’re looking for a silver lining the Yankees bullpen did not allow a run for the second consecutive game. This time they pieced together 5.2 innings of scoreless relief between Cousins, Tim Mayza, Mark Leiter Jr. and Tim Hill, keeping the Yankees in the game.
Game MVP: Keider Montero
The Tigers starter was impressive Saturday afternoon, earning a standing ovation from the fans at Comerica Park after silencing the Yankees bats over five innings of work.
What’s next
The Yankees and Tigers conclude their three-game series on Sunday as part of the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa., although rain could force the game to be played Monday in Detroit. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET
Marcus Stroman (8-6, 4.01 ERA) toes the rubber for the Yanks while AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal (14-45, 2.53 ERA) will start for Detroit.
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