Marcus Stroman lashes out at Yankees infielders after grounder, goes on dugout tirade
Yankees’ Struggles Continue with Another Fifth-Inning Collapse
After enduring a series of blowouts, the New York Yankees managed to carry a tie game into the fifth inning at the Rogers Centre on Friday night.
Despite the fact that the game was tied 1-1 with the Yankees securing just one hit, scoring their run through a bit of Aaron Judge ingenuity on a likely double-play ball, it was a significant improvement given their recent performances.
However, as has become all too common, the game unraveled in the fifth inning. Marcus Stroman loaded the bases with nobody out, thanks to a pair of singles and a two-strike hit-by-pitch, an issue that has plagued the Yankees lately. With a full count, Stroman got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to top a middle-middle breaking ball up the middle.
Anthony Volpe fielded the high hop and tossed it to Gleyber Torres, who fired to first base, but it was too late. Guerrero Jr., not known for his speed, managed to beat it out. Stroman, frustrated by the outcome, lost his cool on the mound, shouting, “Throw the f***ing ball!” But … at whom?
This incident highlights the Yankees’ ongoing struggles and inability to execute in crucial moments, leading to yet another disappointing outcome in their recent stretch of games.
Another run scores and the Yanks don't turn the double play and Stroman is pissed pic.twitter.com/xoUpFQ1x2i
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 29, 2024
Yankees starter Marcus Stroman throws tantrum after double play grounder not turned on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
### Yankees’ Internal Tensions Boil Over During Game
The New York Yankees’ recent struggles took a dramatic turn during Friday night’s game at the Rogers Centre when Marcus Stroman’s frustration spilled over in a visible and tense outburst.
After being pulled from the game following a botched double-play attempt that saw Vladimir Guerrero Jr. beat out a throw to first, Stroman was seen pacing angrily in the dugout. The frustration appeared to stem from the play involving Anthony Volpe and Gleyber Torres, though the replay showed that both players did their best given the circumstances. This might have been one of those rare “good” Torres plays Aaron Boone had referenced earlier.
Regardless of the specifics, Stroman’s frustration was palpable. Aaron Judge stepped in between innings to talk to Stroman, fulfilling his role as captain and attempting to calm the situation. This incident came just a day after Carlos Rodón publicly reprimanded Ben Rice for mishandling a slow grounder, indicating rising tensions within the Yankees’ clubhouse. Unlike Rodón’s incident, there was no clear mistake in this instance, making Stroman’s outburst even more perplexing.
Ironically, the mood shifted dramatically just minutes later. Gleyber Torres, who had been at the center of the controversy, hit a two-run home run, following a three-run homer by Juan Soto that flipped the score. In a display of team unity, Stroman was the first to greet Torres at the top step of the dugout after his home run. It was an eventful and emotionally charged 25 minutes, highlighting both the team’s internal struggles and their potential to rally together.