When you are a runner, you battle. You battle your own confidence, your mind over your body and when things get rough, you push, willing yourself through the finish line. You finish strong and you get there. This Yankee team has not figured out how to finish strong and yes, I know it is only day 2, but this has been a lingering bad habit over the last several years. The Yankees couldn't finish off the San Francisco Giants in their 7-5 loss at the Stadium. And that lack of ability to close things out against their opponent has to be fixed.
"A ninth-inning rally fell short, Clarke Schmidt let too many Giants hitters hang in at-bats, and neither the Yankees’ defense nor their bullpen could capitalize on enough advantages. Too many disappointments on big pitches — the Yankees’ staff threw 185 on the day — spoiled an afternoon on which Giancarlo Stanton launched his first home run of the season and Anthony Volpe connected on his first two career hits," wrote the New York Post. Very accurate. Absolutely what I am feeling as I watched Saturday's game unfold.
Leaving runners in scoring position, ducks on the pond if you will, is the Yankees downfall and has been over multiple seasons. Also painful, was the Yankees strikeouts, especially when caught looking. They need to be ready to swing on a 3-2 count, not just concede seemingly to a walk.
Probably the worst inning was the fifth inning where the Yankees tied the game, but failed to take the lead despite having the meat of their order up—and Josh Donaldson striking out to end the inning. The Yankee pitching staff didn't have that finish strong mentality either; fizzling out, leaving pitches hanging and throwing way too many pitches. Losses like these, are unforgettable. Because they shine a spotlight on flaws that are still clearly present even with a shiny new shortstop and Captain.
The Yankees will need to rebound in the rubber game today against the Giants. Today we will see rookie and starting rotation hopeful Jhony Brito who dazzled the Yankees during spring training. Will we see him finish strong and carry the Yankees to a series win? Let's hope we get some good pitching out of him and that the Yankees get out of their own way to get the job done.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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