Offense goes quiet as Yankees drop series finale in Philadelphia

After an exciting 6-0 shutout of the Phillies yesterday, the offense went silent and failed to produce a run in the series finale. Zach Eflin faced off against Luis Cessa, who only lasted three innings. Despite a stellar performance from the bullpen, the Yankees lost 3-0. 

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum

The Phillies did not take it easy on Luis Cessa, who made his first 2018 start for the Yankees. Cessa did not crack under pressure in the first after loading the bases with one out on a bunt, single, and walk. He struck out Aaron Altherr and Scott Kingery to get out of trouble and end the inning. However, Cessa could not escape the jam in the second, surrendering a 376-foot three-run homer to Rhys Hoskins, who went 0-for-9 in the first two games of this series. 

Two spectacular back-to-back defensive plays from Brett Gardner and Giancarlo Stanton prevented Cessa and Yankee fans from even more distress during this game. With over 70 pitches through three innings, he looked fatigued and anxious. Giovanny Gallegos took over for Cessa in the fourth, providing some much-needed relief. He pitched three clean innings, only allowing two hits. It was time for the Bombers’ bats to wake up. 

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Aaron Hicks led off the sixth frame with a single down the left field line, but a quick out and a double play off the bat of Gleyber Torres averted any runs. The slumping Neil Walker made solid contact in the seventh, but the Phillies’ defense kept him from getting a hit. Kyle Higashioka has yet to earn his first MLB hit, going 0-for-20 thus far. Seranthony Dominguez pitched a scoreless eighth. 

After a leadoff double from Cesar Hernandez, Jonathan Holder, who relieved Gallegos, retired the next three batters. The fourth pitcher of the night for the Yanks, Domingo German, also pitched a scoreless inning. 

Dominguez returned in the ninth to close out the game for the Phillies, with Aaron Hicks, Didi Gregorius, and Gleyber Torres going down 1-2-3. 

What’s next? 

The Yankees will face off in a three-game set against the Red Sox starting on Friday. CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound against Eduardo Rodriguez (9-2, 3.86 ERA). Rodriguez struggled in his last outing, surrendering seven hits and five runs (four earned) in just four innings against Seattle. Tune in to watch on MLBN at 7:05 PM EST. 

Article by: Isabella Anton

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