
BRONX, NY — The Yankees may have to earn their spot to take the AL East down the stretch as they lost the rubber game of a three-game series to the Cardinals Sunday afternoon in the Bronx. Their second straight losing series after dropping two-of-three this week to the Nationals down in Washington D.C.
Teams they have to beat, though the Yankees appear postseason bound either overtaking the Orioles for the division or as the top American League Wild Card.

Anthony Santander catches up with Juan Soto before the Orioles-Yankees series opener during this past June at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Regardless, there have to be concerns about a bullpen that resonated into a disaster. Nine runs, eight earned runs after taking over for starter Nestor Cortes is unacceptable.
The final 14-7. The Yankees 2-4 this week versus the Nationals and Cardinals, unacceptable for sure. Concerns about a bullpen that failed at Nationals Park and continued in this brief three-game home series. Sunday after Cortes, (4.0 innings, 5 runs, 8 hits) the bullpen allowed eight of nine earned runs from seven relievers and that is not acceptable.
Game tied 7-7, top of the 7th and the implosion as the Cardinals scored five runs off two relievers. Overall, the Yankees pitching gave up a season-high 21 hits.

Yankees’ pitching coach Matt Blake takes a mound visit during Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Cardinals in the Bronx – Image Credit: Simon Lidenblatt/Latino Sports
Ugly and misplaced balls aside, this is not what the Yankees need to gain more momentum at the beginning of this important September stretch of ball games.
“We didn’t get outs,” said manager Aaron Boone. “In our game that happens. We gotta put our best foot forward to win these games.”

Aaron Judge and Aaron Boone chat at the front step of the Yankees’ dugout – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Boone refers to what awaits the Yankees on their upcoming road trip to Texas and the Chicago Cubs, two teams still competing for something and playing good baseball. Boone referred to how no team is easy. At this juncture it’s playoff baseball because the Yankees are competing for a division title.
And when two of the power cogs in the Yankees lineup suddenly hit a cold streak that can be acceptable, but Aaron Judge and Juan Soto can’t continue to carry the Yankees offense time-and-time again. Judge remains at a MLB leading 51 home runs, his last one last Sunday in the Bronx. Bottom of the order though showed some spark, Alex Verdugo (2-for-4, RBI) and return of Anthony Rizzo (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs).

Anthony Rizzo returned to the Yankees on Sunday – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
But Boone and the Yankees know these last six games have been unacceptable as the bullpen woes continue. And despite what appeared to be two failed Soto plays in right field that allowed Cardinals runs, he can’t be at fault. Soto played shallow and could’t handle a seventh inning bases clearing double that went over his head in right.
On playing shallow, that allowed three three runs and gave the Cardinals a 10-7 lead, Soto said “It’s part of baseball. They came out swinging the ball well today.”
Perhaps unacceptable playing shallow, but that’s how Soto plays the field. And not to make excuses it was a wet field after a sudden burst of rain in the earlier innings.

Juan Soto misplays a fly ball on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium vs. the Cardinals – Image Credit: Simon Lindeblatt/Latino Sports
But Soto did not deserve to hear social media rants about playing shallow and avoiding injury based on his pending free agency that could amount to the highest contract in baseball history for a ballplayer.
“Maybe this is the time for teams to get hot.” Soto said about the Yankees starting a streak on the road. Everybody has a goal and try and win every day. Things happen.”
But things are not happening that the Yankees expect, especially from a bullpen that got some insurance with the addition of right-handers Scott Effross and Ron Marinaccio from Scranton/Wilkes Barre, both involved in the implosion.
Their final lines:
Effross (0.2, 3H, 2 runs, 2 earned, 1HR
Tim Mayza (1.0, 0 runs) — Best of the Bunch
Jake Cousins (0-2, 1H, 2 runs, 2 earned, 1 walk, 1 strikeout) — Losing pitcher
Tommy Kahnle (0.1, 3H, 3 runs, earned)
Phil Bickford (1.1, 2 H)
Marinaccio (1.0, 3H, 2 runs, 2 earned, Home run)

Jordan Walker rounds the bases in the fifth inning during Sunday’s series finale in the Bronx – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
And with 25 games remaining there is certainly time to get things in order, a bullpen that remains an albatross for the Yankees down the stretch. But Boone is always the optimist and has to go with his horses in the pen.
Jordan Walker went 5-for-5, Lars Nootbaar got the bases-clearing double that Soto said had good backspin over his head. He also hit a two-run homer in the ninth. One can look at Cortes also not his best after throwing 80 pitches and working behind the count.
Said Boone about that seventh “We just couldn’t close out that inning. I think we were still tied with two outs and they got all five of those runs. So, one of those games.”

Nolan Arenado and the Cardinals took two-of-three against the Yankees this weekend at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Yeah, but one of those games the Yankees want to go the other way. However, bullpen concerns continue and that can hurt them down this September stretch.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and contributor Latinosports.com – X (Twitter): @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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