Lights Flicker and Yankees Bats Go Quiet in 3-1 Loss
New York managed four hits and went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position against St. Louis on Wednesday night, its sixth game of two runs or fewer in seven.
NEW YORK — Some lights atop Yankee Stadium went dark twice in the first inning Wednesday night. The New York Yankees' offense stayed dark much longer.
Missing three injured sluggers from the middle of their lineup, the Yankees were held to four hits in a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the latest empty night for a Bronx Bombers offense that has scored two runs or fewer in six of its past seven games.
"We've got to give ourselves more margin for error," manager Aaron Boone said. "The pitching staff did a good job, the defense for the most part was there, and we've got to come through when we get opportunities."
New York drew eight walks against starter Andre Pallante and four Cardinals relievers but went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11. Over the three-game series the Yankees were 1 for 18 in those spots, and they are 3 for 43 across the past seven games. Since losing Cody Bellinger to injury 11 games ago, they are 15 for 89, a .169 mark.
The Yankees (64-51) lost two of three to St. Louis (57-58) and fell 4 1/2 games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the American League East. They hold the league's top wild card by one game over Boston, which has won seven straight and 25 of 28.
New York's lone run came without a hit, in a rainy sixth, when reliever George Soriano — a first cousin of former Yankees All-Star Alfonso Soriano — walked Jazz Chisholm Jr. with the bases loaded. Soriano then struck out Ryan McMahon, who tossed his bat and helmet in frustration. Rookie George Lombard Jr. struck out on three pitches from Ryne Stanek with two aboard to end the eighth, the last a 100 mph fastball.
With Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Bellinger on the injured list, the Yankees acquired Luis García Jr. and outfielder Heliot Ramos before Monday's trade deadline.
Pallante (12-6) allowed one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings in his Yankee Stadium debut, after rain delayed the first pitch 68 minutes. Lights flickered with Iván Herrera batting, stopping play about two minutes, then again with Trent Grisham leading off the bottom of the first.
"I'm more than willing to pitch in the dark — hitters can't see it," Pallante said.
"I think we're really good," Grisham said. "This year's been a little ups and downs, but that's baseball."
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
