New York Yankees: Michael Pineda Shelled Again

By Kenneth Teape | Jul 16, 2016

Jul 15, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda (35) reacts after allowing a two run home run to Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda struggled once again Friday night, getting crushed by the Boston Red Sox.

The New York Yankees did not get off to the start they were hoping for after the All-Star break on Friday night. The Yankees lost 5-3 in their first game after the break to the rival Boston Red Sox, dropping below the .500 mark once again and getting their brutal homestand off on the wrong foot.

While the 5-3 score makes things seem like it was close, the Yankees never truly seemed to have a chance in this one. That is because tonight’s starter, Michael Pineda, was once again shelled on the mound.

Pineda has had an up-and-down season with the downs greatly outnumbering the ups. Last night against the Red Sox was another down, as Pineda has now had two rough starts in a row after looking like he was finally turning the corner against the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins.

In his last start against the Chicago White Sox prior to the All-Star break, Pineda got blasted, giving up five earned runs in six innings. He carried that negative play through the All-Star break, as he gave up another five runs to the Red Sox.

The Yankees offense didn’t give him much support, as their first hit came courtesy of an Alex Rodriguez dribbler in the bottom of the fifth inning. By that point, the Yankees were already down 3-0, as Ryan Hanigan hit a home run to left field in the third inning and Travis Shaw hit a 430 foot bomb to right field in the fifth inning.

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That was not the last damage done to Pineda, as All-Star Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run bomb to right field to make the score 5-0. Pineda would mercifully make it through the remainder of the inning unscathed, but the damage was already done.

Pineda now has surrendered 18 home runs in 18 starts as he is just not able to get on track consistently this season.

Carlos Beltran, who may not be with the Yankees much longer if any of the recent rumors surrounding him come to fruition, talked about Pineda following the game, saying, “It’s tough because Pineda’s a guy that really works hard, he’s really trying hard to go out there and give us an opportunity to win ballgames. I know that baseball can be like that, it can be frustrating. My advice would be continue to fight, continue to work hard and hopefully it will change for him.”

The Yankees are hoping that he, along with many other players, can change and turn things around in what has been a lost season for plenty of his teammates. But, there just isn’t many options for the Yankees to turn to in their starting rotation.

Chad Green was called up but does not seem ready to consistently contribute at the major league level yet. Luis Severino looked the part last season, but this season struggled mightily. He has turned things around some at Triple-A, and could return to the major leagues sooner than later.

Nathan Eovaldi was already removed from the starting rotation earlier in the month, but will be placed back in it for a start Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles. He has struggled throughout the season as well, but the Yankees will need to turn to him again since they do not really have anyone else.

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The Yankees are hoping someone will step up in the coming weeks, as they need to decide if they are going to become sellers at the deadline. The Yankees’ brass is reportedly split right now on if they want to trade or not, but the players may make that decision for them if they don’t turn things around on the field soon.

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