Judge: Scuffling Yankees need to dial in 'lack of focus'

NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge doesn’t enjoy sitting still, and the Yankees’ captain certainly doesn’t like what he’s been seeing.

Unable to help between the lines as he continues to await reimaging on a fractured right first rib, Judge said he expects better results in July after the Bombers wrapped up a sub-.500 June on a six-game losing streak.

“It’s not great -- just a little lack of focus,” Judge said before Wednesday’s 6-2 loss to Detroit in 11 innings extended the Yankees' losing streak to seven games. “We’ve just got to dial it in. Our ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I think guys have just got to remember that every single day they show up here. We’re here to win a World Series, so that’s your motivation.

“Every single day you step on that field, no matter what happened the day before: ‘I’ve got a job to do.’”

Judge, who has been on the injured list since June 5 (retroactive to June 2) with a right rib fracture that he believes stems from an April 26 diving attempt at Houston, referenced a sign that hangs between the Yankees’ clubhouse and the dugout. It reads: “Do your job.”

“It’s the last thing you see before you get out there,” Judge said.

The Yankees delivered on that expectation in their first dozen games without Judge, winning 8, but it has been rough sledding of late. The offense has cooled, with the Yanks held to four hits or fewer in five consecutive games entering Wednesday, going 7-for-68 with runners in scoring position over their past 11 games.

“Collectively as a whole, we’re just trying to do too much,” Judge said. “Everyone is trying to be the one guy that will hit the grand slam with nobody on. It’s like, ‘Hey, just take your approach, take your at-bat.’”

Fundamentals have been lacking, as well; the Yankees have allowed 21 unearned runs since June 20, more than double the total of anyone else in the Majors over that span (Mets, 10). They had permitted just 22 unearned runs in their first 74 games.

Asked if that is the lack of focus he was referring to, Judge replied, “I think you guys see it.”

At the time of Judge’s injury, the Yankees estimated he would undergo reimaging in four to six weeks; now approaching the one-month mark, Judge and manager Aaron Boone both say there is no set date for Judge to undergo that procedure.

Boone has been encouraged that Judge is able to perform more lower-body activity and reports less pain. The Yankees expect Judge to return this season, but he said that until he’s cleared by the medical staff for the next step, there’s little point in discussing his situation.

“It’s the worst,” Judge said. “That’s one thing that always kills me throughout the year. I hate missing games, but I hate missing it in times where things aren’t going your way. That’s when I want to be out there. I want to be grinding with the guys and be part of the solution to get us back where we need to be.”

The Yankees lost their grip on first place in the American League East while suffering a four-game sweep at Fenway Park, now looking up at the Rays.

As Ben Rice noted after Tuesday’s loss, multiple hitters have hit a rough patch all at the same time -- Rice homered Tuesday, which marked his first RBI in nine games. Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt were also among those carrying the lineup at times; they’ve also found results difficult to come by.

“No one feels bad for you; no one feels sorry,” Judge said. “We can’t hang our heads. You go up there and make an error, strike out, get booed -- you’ve got to soak it in and just get ready for the next play.”

Judge isn’t just dispensing that wisdom into microphones -- he has spoken with numerous teammates over this span. Boone said he has also addressed issues behind closed doors, but Judge’s words carry different weight.

“One of his superpowers as a leader is, he makes you feel so important,” Boone said. “Guys feel that, even when they’re here for a short amount of time. They feel like, ‘Man, this guy makes me feel like I’m the most important part of this team.’ That goes a long way.”

Maybe so, and navigating a significant portion of their summer without Judge -- the reigning American League MVP -- was never expected to be easy. Judge believes this stretch will show what the roster is made of, making them even stronger once he returns.

“We talked in April, talked in May,” Judge said. “Good teams go through rough times like this. Every good team has two or three bumps in the road. I think right now, we’re not responding, and that’s what it comes down to. If something doesn’t go your way, it’s how you respond on that next pitch.”