{"id":677483,"date":"2026-04-17T08:45:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T08:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/677483\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T08:45:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T08:45:47","slug":"yankees-urgency-rising-as-mistakes-pile-up-heading-into-next-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/677483\/","title":{"rendered":"Yankees’ urgency rising as mistakes pile up heading into next series"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW YORK – Coming off being swept by the Rays at Tampa Bay, the Yankees<\/a> could\u2019ve easily been swept again.<\/p>\n

In a four-game set with another AL mediocrity, the Los Angeles Angels<\/a>, the Yanks managed to pull off two rabbit-out-of-a-hat wins \u2013 after trailing in the ninth inning both times.<\/p>\n

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This was mostly an entertaining and historic series, featuring two future Hall of Famers slugging it out.<\/p>\n

Aaron Judge<\/a> clubbed his fourth homer of the series in Thursday afternoon\u2019s first inning, and Mike Trout<\/a> later smashed his fifth \u2013 on the way to an 11-4 Angels victory.<\/p>\n

Ineffective relief, poor decisions on the bases, and a couple of unmade infield defensive plays contributed to the Yanks\u2019 seventh loss in their last nine games.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases on his two-run home run against Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his two-run home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels scores a run during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates his three-run home run with Adam Frazier #20 and Zach Neto #9 in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees watches his game-tying, two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees scores the walk-off run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after being at the plate when a wild pitch pitch was thrown, allowing the winning run from third base score in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) celebrates with second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 13<\/p>\n

See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout<\/p>\n

Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) is mobbed by teammates after winning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

This was the week where Oswald Peraza<\/a> \u2013 batting cleanup as an Angel \u2013 came back to haunt the Yankees, who cast him off at last summer\u2019s trade deadline.<\/p>\n

At the plate, Peraza went 5-for-10 with two homers, three walks, four RBI, a double and two stolen bases.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s super talented, always has been,\u2019\u2019 said manager Aaron Boone of Peraza, who batted .190 with a .548 OPS in parts of four Yankees seasons. \u201cHe\u2019s in as good a place as he\u2019s been the past few years.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Peraza was another version of prime Gio Urshela<\/a>, except for the pop fly that dropped between him and shortstop Zach Neto<\/a> (more Neto\u2019s responsibility) that contributed to the Yanks\u2019 walk-off win Wednesday.<\/p>\n

If he were still in pinstripes, Peraza would be the Yanks\u2019 starting third baseman, over Amed Rosario<\/a> \u2013 who started Thursday over the slumping Ryan McMahon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Apr<\/p>\n

Apr 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Maybe the hardest thing for the 38,424 fans to square \u2013 beyond the incessant, meaningless wall of sound assaulting every eardrum \u2013 was a loss to an Angels team tossing a bullpen game versus Max Fried.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFalling behind a lot\u2019\u2019 in counts, said Fried, feeling he was \u201cnot as sharp\u2019\u2019 over his 5.1 innings, ultimately charged with five runs on three hits and three walks.<\/p>\n

After Peraza\u2019s two-run homer in the first, following a four-pitch walk to Jo Adell<\/a>, Fried\u2019s other two walks were against Trout \u2013 the second being in the pivotal sixth inning.<\/p>\n

Facing Trout for the first time in his career, \u201cI was trying to throw the ball over the plate, but for some reason I was just missing,\u2019\u2019 said Fried.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to go after him.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Fried left a 3-3 game with one out, leaving it to a bullpen where the only solid trust is with Tim Hill<\/a> and closer David Bednar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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After yielding a go-ahead, ground single to Vaughn Grissom<\/a> just past third baseman Amed Rosario (the .119-hitting Ryan McMahon was benched), Cruz engaged in the game\u2019s most critical at-bat.<\/p>\n

Josh Lowe<\/a> won it with a tough at-bat, fouling off four pitches and taking a pitch before dunking a two-run single to center for a 6-3 lead.<\/p>\n

Cruz\u2019s splitter is one of the game\u2019s most lethal pitches, but his command isn\u2019t always consistent and Lowe, with a patient and professional approach, outlasted Cruz there.<\/p>\n

Yankees’ bullpen turbulence\"Apr<\/p>\n

Apr 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Mike Trout (27) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against New York Yankees relief pitcher Angel Chivilli (57) during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Boone is still sifting through bullpen arms and trying to define roles.<\/p>\n

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Angel Chivilli<\/a> made his Yankee debut and joined the Trout clout list, yielding a solo homer in the seventh before Jo Adell\u2019s say-goodnight grand slam off Ryan Yarbrough<\/a> in the eighth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why there\u2019s opportunity for guys to grab roles,\u2019\u2019 Boone said of a bullpen still finding its way, though more changes are coming.<\/p>\n

Someone must go to the \u2018pen when Carlos Rodon<\/a> and Gerrit Cole<\/a> return to the rotation, tracking toward mid-to-late May returns.<\/p>\n

That could be a role change for Ryan Weathers<\/a> or a demotion for Luis Gil<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Top minor league starting prospects Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez could impact the Yankees\u2019 staff sooner than later, either in the bullpen or the rotation.<\/p>\n

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That was one more item to ponder as the Angels won the home run contest this week, 13-8, led by Trout – now a .346 hitter with 13 homers in 34 career games at the current Yankee Stadium.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees bullpen, defense and baserunning must tighten before next series<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NEW YORK – Coming off being swept by the Rays at Tampa Bay, the Yankees could\u2019ve easily been…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":677484,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2390],"tags":[1797,106,1348,11477,291,5,2004,1100,2281,4807,2179,1397,1165,446,3223,774,56,3224,3222,2277,108,603,4,1841,1494,1073,4581,4791,1229,142,5204,2052],"class_list":{"0":"post-677483","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles-angels","8":"tag-aaron-boone","9":"tag-aaron-judge","10":"tag-amed-rosario","11":"tag-angel-chivilli","12":"tag-angels","13":"tag-baseball","14":"tag-carlos-rodon","15":"tag-david-bednar","16":"tag-gerrit-cole","17":"tag-gio-urshela","18":"tag-jo-adell","19":"tag-josh-lowe","20":"tag-la","21":"tag-la-angels","22":"tag-laangels","23":"tag-los-angeles","24":"tag-los-angeles-angels","25":"tag-losangeles","26":"tag-losangelesangels","27":"tag-luis-gil","28":"tag-max-fried","29":"tag-mike-trout","30":"tag-mlb","31":"tag-oswald-peraza","32":"tag-ryan-mcmahon","33":"tag-ryan-weathers","34":"tag-ryan-yarbrough","35":"tag-tim-hill","36":"tag-vaughn-grissom","37":"tag-yankees","38":"tag-yanks","39":"tag-zach-neto"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/116419180201245035","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=677483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677483\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/677484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=677483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=677483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=677483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}