NEW YORK – It had been more than a month since Cam Schlittler had allowed more than two runs in any start, a string of strong performances that positioned the Yankees right-hander among the early frontrunners for the American League Cy Young Award.
That stellar campaign in the making hit its first significant speed bump on Tuesday, as Schlittler was knocked for a season-high five runs (four earned) over 4 1/3 innings in the Yankees’ 9-4 loss to the Guardians at Yankee Stadium.
“I’m not afraid to admit that I was probably out there thinking about some stuff with the four-seam [fastball],” Schlittler said. “The mechanics just kind of got away from me a little bit there. I wasn’t going out there competing. I was just trying to get guys out.”
Set to see the AL Central-leading Guardians for six games over the next nine days, the Yankees have now lost nine of 12 games against teams with .500 or better records this season.
However, they’re also 23-12 vs. Cleveland since 2022, including the postseason.
“We didn’t hold them down enough tonight,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We gave ourselves a chance.”
Paul Goldschmidt attempted to carry the offense on an evening when the Yankees learned they might be without Aaron Judge for an undetermined period, with the captain set to see a specialist on Wednesday to further address a bone bruise near his right rib cage.
Goldschmidt homered and drove in a season-high four runs, stroking hits in each of his first three plate appearances. He did so despite back tightness stemming from the club’s cross-country flight home from Sacramento, Calif., late on Sunday, which prompted Boone to shift Goldschmidt from first base to DH.
“The trainers did a great job, and obviously I was able to play,” Goldschmidt said. “I could’ve played first base, but a little extra rest and not being on my feet quite as long was helpful.”
Goldschmidt’s offense provided a one-run lead by the fourth inning, including his seventh homer of the season.
Yet Schlittler – who’d been 5-1 with a 1.07 ERA in his previous eight starts, including a victory over the Royals last Tuesday – couldn’t make it hold up.
“Usually, four runs is going to get the job done,” Schlittler said.
Boone suggested Schlittler’s stuff was “down just a tick,” and the right-hander acknowledged he’d experienced a similar issue last time out, seeking adjustments on the fly regarding his four-seamer.
“It wasn’t great in K.C. as well, and it wasn’t great tonight,” Schlittler said. “I’ve just got to go out there and flush that stuff. I’ll work on it between starts and just go out there and pitch. I didn’t think I did that to my full potential today.”
Across the board, Schlittler’s velocity was down. According to Baseball Savant, his fastball averaged 96.8 mph, down 1.0 mph, while his cutter (-0.4 mph), sinker (-0.3 mph) and curveball (-0.5 mph) also lost some of their average zip.
“He was just a little less sharp,” Boone said. “We’re talking shades. He could be just not feeling as great today. Could be a little mechanical, whatever. He’s still throwing the ball real well. When you’re just a tick down, you’ve got to get to better spots.”
That made for an uncharacteristic Schlittler outing, as he permitted five hits and struck out three without a walk. He threw 50 of 76 pitches for strikes.
“They had a good approach,” Schlittler said. “They made me fight a little bit. I just didn’t have it. … They put the ball in play and they don’t strike out much, so they were able to get the ball in the air a few times and make me pay.”
Patrick Bailey tripled and scored on Brayan Rocchio’s third-inning sacrifice fly, and Kyle Manzardo reached the right-center-field seats for a two-run homer in the fourth inning.
Goldschmidt responded with a two-run single in the fourth, marking his first four-RBI game since May 26, 2024, for the Cardinals against the Cubs. All of Goldschmidt’s hits were off Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo.
Travis Bazzana (sac fly) and José Ramírez (run-scoring double) collected fifth-inning RBIs off Schlittler.
One of the fifth-inning runs was unearned, a result of third baseman Amed Rosario’s error on a Bailey grounder. Tuesday marked Rosario’s first game back with the club after being activated from the paternity list.
Schlittler said he wasn’t alarmed by Tuesday’s misstep.
“If you’re going to have 35 starts, you’re not always going to be sharp,” he said. “When you don’t [have] it, you’ve just got to be able to battle through that.”