Since June 13, the New York Yankees have the third-worst losing record (25) in all of Major League Baseball, tied with the Rays, Braves, Rockies and Diamondbacks, and only behind the Nationals (27), Giants (26) and Twins (26). This clearly speaks to the current crisis of the Bronx Bombers, who have been displaced to third place in the American League East.
The Yankees have seen the Blue Jays and Red Sox pass them by in a traditionally competitive division, which this year has seen the Orioles and Rays struggle. In the first two months of the season, it seemed that the New Yorkers could reign without difficulty, but things have become complicated for the team led by Aaron Boone, affected by injuries and a drop in performance of some players.
This weekend, in their visit to Miami, they have not been able to cope with the Marlins. On Friday, their newly acquired relievers at the trade deadline were bombarded, while on Saturday they could not hit and left their run box at zero. In addition, they again stole the headlines for errors, an issue that has tremendously affected the team in recent weeks.
The protagonist of Saturday’s blunder was Jazz Chisholm Jr., who had reached base on a walk, but was caught at first base after a harmless pop-up to the infield by Paul Goldschmidt. The Yankees second baseman did not return to first base in time and was put out in a play that turned into an unusual double play.
The situation did not sit well with Boone, who was visibly upset and asked Chisholm for an explanation. The player said he thought Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards was going to drop the ball to eliminate him.
“I was just trying to be aggressive. I saw something I thought they were going to do. Edwards said he was going to do it. He didn’t. I saw him watching Goldy the whole time and I thought he would want to get out of me at first base. I would have done it,” Chisholm said, who told Boone exactly that version, insisting he would do the same if he found himself in that situation again.
“I know how to play on this field and I was preparing to run if they dropped the ball,” Chisholm insisted, who did not deny that the team is making mistakes on the basepaths. Last July 18, Jorbit Vivas did not slide into third against Atlanta, this week Austin Wells was confused with the count of outs and was also surprised, and in this same game against the Marlins Trent Grisham was sent to suicide to the plate and was also easily thrown out.
“We’ve been making mistakes for the last week and a half. We know we’re not like that. We know we’re a better baseball team… I feel like we’re a little bit pressed, even me on the quiet side, because I’m trying to go out and make extra plays that are really not necessary,” said the Yankees second baseman.
We know we are a better baseball team… I feel like we are a little bit pressured
Tension has escalated in the New York team, as could be seen when Boone complained very strongly to coach Travis Chapman about Chisholm’s play. Although his annoyance was very evident, the mentor sought to downplay the matter after the game.
“The only thing he said was if he could have shouted louder when (Chisholm) entered the danger zone. That’s all,” said Boone, who is in the eye of the storm for the poor run of results and for his overly protective stance with players who are not offering their best.
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