Free passes were a problem for Cam Schlittler and the pinstripers on Monday, as the Yankees lost their series-opener against the Rays, 4-2, in the Bronx.
Schlittler, making his third major league start, flashed a 100-mph fastball in the first inning, but a two-out walk to Jonathan Aranda set Junior Caminero up for a two-run homer. Prior to the dinger, Schlittler didn’t get the call on two consecutive pitches on the outside corner. Home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso correctly determined both were balls, but Schlittler seemed surprised by the rulings.
Schlittler got himself in trouble again in the fifth, issuing a leadoff walk to Yandy Díaz. The Rays then took the lead after Aranda and Josh Lowe singled. The latter ended Schlittler’s night after 4.1 innings before Brent Headrick entered and fanned Jake Mangum and José Caballero, escaping the jam.
Monday marked the shortest start of Schlittler’s young career. The 24-year-old totaled four walks on the night, as well as seven hits, three earned runs, five strikeouts and 86 pitches.
It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do with Schlittler in the near future.
The righty’s name has come up in trade rumors, though he recently told the Daily News his “goal” is to “stay a Yankee and hopefully play here for a long time.” There also aren’t many expected trade candidates who would be worth dealing a hard-throwing, controllable starter for.
The potential for overcrowding in the Yankees’ rotation could force Schlittler out in other ways, though, as Luis Gil is expected to make one more rehab start at Triple-A on Tuesday before rejoining the group. Schlittler, as well as fellow rookie Will Warren, have minor league options and can be demoted. Or they could help a beleaguered bullpen. So could Marcus Stroman, who has worse stuff than the younger guns.
Completely cutting ties with Stroman is another option, but that would eat into the Yankees’ already limited depth.
The Yankees still have time to figure out their pitching plans. Their Aaron Judge-less offense, meanwhile, needed some help from the Rays to score on Monday.
Walks also hurt Tampa Bay in the first, though so did poor defense.
After Jasson Domínguez singled, Chandler Simpson completely misread a ball off Cody Bellinger’s bat, resulting in a single. Giancarlo Stanton knocked another to load the bases with one out before Drew Rasmussen walked Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ryan McMahon.
That tied the game at two, but Rasmussen stopped the bleeding there and didn’t allow any more runs over five frames. Díaz, meanwhile, added an insurance run with a sac fly in the eighth.
Unable to score much, the second-place Yankees are now 58-48. The first-place Blue Jays also lost on Monday, leaving the Bombers 5.5 games back in the American League East at the end of their opener against the Rays.
The Yanks are also 11-19 against division foes this season.
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