The New York Yankees fell to the Oakland Athletics on Friday after securing a three-game win streak, sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays. Against the Athletics, they allowed five runs and posted just three, as their offense fizzled out after a dominant recent stretch.
The Yankees only recorded four hits, striking out nine times as starting pitcher Jamison Taillon lasted 4.2 innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs. Surprisingly, this was one of his better outings, giving up a home run in the first inning and allowing another in the third. However, relief option Wandy Peralta allowed three hits and three runs over just 1.1 innings, allowing Oakland to walk away with a victory.
Oakland currently sits at 44-27 on the season, as the Yankees are just three games above .500 at 36-33.
Good news and bad news for the Yankees:
There wasn’t much good news to extract from the loss to Oakland, especially since the opposing pitcher, James Kaprielian, who was a former building block for the Yankees, played well over 4.2 innings.
Kaprielian lost in 5.2 innings, giving up three hits and three earned runs, but struck out seven batters in the process. As the Yankees’ former 2015 first-round selection, he’s currently hosting a 2.84 ERA in seven starts this season. Seemingly, he would’ve been an influential factor this year for the Yankees, who continuously have struggles in the starting pitching department.
“Iâ€m not gonna lie. I was excited to be here,†said Kaprielian. “For so long, I envisioned myself pitching on that mound and wearing a different uniform. But the fact that I got to be here at all is special.â€
Offensively, the Yankees are still struggling to remain consistent, as they sat catcher Gary Sanchez to give him a night off after a strong last few games. Sanchez has elevated his average to .228 with 10 home runs and 22 RBIs this season. Over the last seven days, Sanchez has six hits and three homers over 20 at-bats. Unfortunately, they needed his offensive prowess during this contest but decided to give him a day off with his form in flux.