Rodon Good After Allowing 4 Runs to First 4 Batters. Tampa 5 NY 3

July 10, 2024 paperbacklou 2024, Blue 0

Carlos Rodon pitched good after allowing 4 runs to the first 4 batters of the game — single, double, single, 3-run homer to Isaac Paredes — which put the Yanks in a 4-1 hole before he even retired a batter.

Rodon didn’t allow any more runs through 4 innings, leaving at 95 pitches; Ben Rice hit a 2-run homer in the 7th to pull the Yanks to within 4-3; and Juan Soto hit a deep drive to center with a runner on in the 9th aiming to tie the game — but the ball was caught a few feet from the wall and NY went down in flames again — 5-3 to the Rays in Tampa on a Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

It was yet another start where the long ball killed Rodon — although in this start he only allowed the one. It was a 3-run bomb.

“It has not been fun, that’s for sure,” said Rodon afterwards about trying to get past his recent struggles. “Just not really giving my team a chance to win; giving up runs early. Should have put a zero up in the first; just trying to stretch something together. I keep saying ‘put it behind me’ and I have to because there’s a game to be played in 5 games for me, and we have another one tomorrow. Yea — it’s been really frustrating.”

NY falls to 55-38, remain 3 games behind Baltimore which also lost, and ps are only 3.5 ahead of Boston who is streaking and only 6.5 out. Tampa improves to 45-46.

1. Yanks Jump Out to 1-0 Lead

The Yanks jumped on top against Tampa starter Ryan Pepiot, a 26-year-old 6’3 righty who was with the LA Dodgers last year.

Juan Soto worked a 1-out walk, Alex Verdugo singled with 2 outs, and Gleyber Torres — just back from missing a week with a pulled groin — singled in a run to make it 1-0 Yanks.

On Twitter, Carlos Rodon’s wife tweeted applause.

2. Rodon’s Rough Start to His Start Kills Yanks Again

But then Carlos Rodon took the mound, and it was yet another start where he got clobbered early before settling down.

It was single (by Yandy Diaz), RBI double (by Randy Arozarena), single (by Amed Rosario), and 3-run homer by Isaac Paredes for a 4-1 Tampa lead and still nobody out in the 1st.

After that, Rodon settled down — getting 3 outs in the 1st (sandwiching a walk); pitching a 1-2-3 inning in the 2nd; working around a single and walk in the 3rd — striking out the last 2 batters; and pitching a 1-2-3 inning in the 4th, striking out 2 more.

Rodon was relieved after 4 innings at 95 pitches. His line: 4 IP, 5 hits, 4 runs, 5 K’s, 2 walks. He loses to go 9-7 4.63. On June 10th, he was 9-2 2.93.

When asked why he keeps getting ripped in the 1st, before settling down, Rodon said “I don’t know — I think it’s partially I try to attack with fastballs in the zone, and they’ve been getting on some heaters. Then we get out in the 2nd and we start mixing — we mix in changeups and the curveball. I think I have to make that adjustment; as the game begins be ready to use the whole arsenal from the get-go.”

3. Rodon’s Wife Receives Feedback

Rodon’s wife Ashley received instant feedback on her tweet that cheered Gleyber on in the 1st — the first of many responses shown here:

She replied with kindness.

4. Cousins Great

NFL star Kirk Cousins’ cousin Jake Cousins came in for Rodon and pitched splendidly — a shutout 5th and 6th — including striking out the side in the 6th.

5. Pepiot Stifles NY

Meanwhile Pepiot was shutting down NY. He:

  • Pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 2nd,
  • Worked past a 2-out single by Aaron Judge in the 3rd,
  • Worked past a 2-out walk by Anthony Volpe in the 4th,
  • Worked around a leadoff single to DJ LeMahieu in the 5th, and
  • Left with 2 outs in the 6th with Alex Verdugo on 2nd after a leadoff walk.

Kevin Kelly came in and retired Volpe to end the 6th, with NY still down 4-1.

6. Rice HR Gets Yanks Within a Run

The Yanks were down 4-1 and in the doldrums when in the 7th, Trent Grisham singled off Kelly to lead off, and Ben Rice hit a SHOT to right, making it a 4-3 game. Ballgame back on.

7. Tonkin Good; Kahnle Allows Insurance Run

Michael Tonkin pitched a shutout 7th, and got the first 2 batters of the 8th before yielding a single to Jose Siri. Tommy Kahnle came in and allowed a double to Johnny DeLuca on the first pitch — scoring Siri from 1st for a huge Tampa insurance run. Tampa 5 NY 3.

8. Soto Gives It a Ride

DJ LeMahieu singled with 1 out in the top of the 9th against Tampa ace reliever Pete Fairbanks. Ben Rice struck out but with 2 outs, Juan Soto ripped one to DEEP centerfield — where Jose Siri made a terrific catch a few feet from the wall for the old ballgame.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401569846

 

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