Yankees 1, Rangers 8: Shut down by something called a Bibens-Dirkx

The Yankees are bringing back the old narrative that they can’t hit pitchers they have never seen before. Austin Bibens-Dirkx is a 32-year-old rookie long reliever, and he managed to shut the Yankees down at home over seven innings this afternoon. This would be far more embarrassing if the team hadn’t just gone on a long losing streak, so this feels normal, even though it shouldn’t.

While Bibens-Dirkx was busy keeping the Yankees lineup off balance, Luis Cessa couldn’t exactly keep up. In the first inning, Delino DeShields walked and stole second. Elvis Andrus singled and moved the runner to third before Adrian Beltre singled him in to give the Rangers an early lead. Cessa also allowed a two-run home run to Carlos Gomez in the fourth to make it a 3-0 game. Overall, he looked rather Pinedian today by striking out eight but allowing three runs on three hits and two walks.

Jonathan Holder couldn’t do much better and continues to struggle. He allowed a Robinson Chirinos home run in the seventh on his way to allowing two hits and striking out two in 1.2 innings.

Texas struck big in the ninth against Tyler Clippard, who entered the game in hopes of turning his recent struggles around. Unfortunately, things don’t get better when you’re just as bad. Clippard walked Carlos Gomez, who stole second and advanced to third on a fly out. He then managed to score on a wild pitch.

Things didn’t end there, though. Clippard allowed a walk, hit, and back-to-back doubles to make it an 8-1 game, giving the Yankees little chance to come back. I don’t know what his problem is now, but it needs to get worked out before he costs this team any more games. It probably isn’t time to cut him yet, but we’re getting closer.

There really wasn’t a whole lot of good that happened for the Yankees. Aaron Judge hit a solo home run in the sixth, and that was really it in terms of offense. Left-handed reliever Tyler Webb made his major league debut, pitching 1.1 innings and collecting his first strikeout.

Other than Judge, Mason Williams may have had the best day at the plate. He had a hit, a walk, and stole two bases as the team’s leadoff hitter today. Starlin Castro, Didi Gregorius, and Austin Romine collected one hit each. Tyler Austin, the team’s new first baseman following Chris Carter being designated for assignment, didn’t do anything. He actually almost hurt his thumb trying to stretch for a ball. Thankfully he was ok.

This is the kind of game where you pretend never happened. Let’s move on and look to tomorrow because the Yankees still have a chance at winning the series.