Sloppy defense, missed chances cost Yanks

April 17th, 2018

NEW YORK -- The Yankees had done no favors with their bats or gloves by the fifth inning on Tuesday, when the hurler watched the Marlins' J.T. Realmuto pummel a fat fastball into the right-field seats.
Realmuto's three-run shot effectively put the game out of reach, but things had been trending that way for most of the evening, as Tanaka and the Yankees endured a sloppy all-around performance that led to a 9-1 loss to the Marlins at Yankee Stadium.
"I feel like I wasn't able to control the game," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "You get runners on and that happens, but you've got to try to minimize damage. I feel like I wasn't able to do a good job of that."

Tanaka was peppered for seven runs (six earned) and eight hits over five innings, including Realmuto's homer, highlighting the Miami catcher's return from the disabled list. Meanwhile, Marlins starter showcased his arsenal, holding New York hitless into the fifth inning.
"He was moving all over the plate, in and out, keeping his offspeed low," said , who went hitless against his former club and again heard boos from an announced crowd of 34,005. "We weren't able to get a hold of him."

Shortstop Didi Gregorius committed a throwing error as part of Miami's three-run first inning, and catcher threw wildly for a second-inning error that allowed to reach second base on a bunt. Maybin then scored on a single that clanged off of second baseman 's glove.

Though it was credited as a hit, was unable to glove 's two-out roller toward third base in the fifth. Tanaka walked the next hitter before serving up Realmuto's first homer of the year, opening up a seven-run lead for Miami. New York's 17 errors are the most in the American League.
"That's got to be better," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "When you're trying to get traction, that's one of those areas that when it's not going well in a particular area, when you're catching the ball, it always gives you a chance. We've got to get better in that department, and we will."

SOUND SMART
's 12-game hitting streak was snapped, as he went 0-for-2 with two walks, but Gregorius knocked an eighth-inning double that marked his 13th extra-base hit of the season. Gregorius is the seventh Yankee since 1908 to collect at least 13 extra-base hits through 16 team games, a feat last accomplished by Alex Rodriguez (19 in 2007).

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Andujar's fifth-inning double was the Yankees' lone hit off of Garcia, who walked five and struck out two over five frames.

Andujar broke up the shutout with two outs in the ninth inning, launching his first Major League home run off . New York finished 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine men on.
"These guys are pros," Boone said. "These guys are grinding away in every way you can and will continue to do that. Eventually, we'll get it rolling."

HE SAID IT
"They made some fine plays, too. Errors are part of the game. You can't really make that an excuse. Even given that situation, you've got to execute pitches and make outs. I have to do a better job of that."
-- Tanaka

UP NEXT
is scheduled to be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Thursday when the Yankees host the Blue Jays at 6:35 p.m. ET, opening a four-game series. Sabathia last pitched on April 6 against the Orioles, working four innings before exiting with right hip soreness. will start for Toronto.