Schadenfreude 257 (A Continuing Series)

Dan Martin, Post (Saturday, 5:39 AM):

For years, the Yankees counted on CC Sabathia to be their stopper. Even in the latter part of his career, he has been adept at pitching well after losses. ...

[Sabathia:] "Just go out and try to get a win."

George A. King III, Post:

[T]he numbers from the past eight games are so horrific you have to wonder if the Yankees have the arms to avoid a complete meltdown and let the Red Sox and Rays creep closer in the AL East race. ...

In the past eight games, Yankees starters [have] a whopping 14.90 ERA, which was reduced from 15.61 because Sabathia gave up five runs in 4.1 innings. They have allowed 59 hits, 10 walks and hit two batters in 32 innings. Ten of those hits are homers. ...

Manager Aaron Boone ... said nobody should overreact to a bad week of baseball. ...

First, however, somebody has to stop the outgoing missiles coming from the other teams' bats.

Kristie Ackert, Daily News:

This is not just a punch in the face. The Yankees are reeling and have taken a few body blows this weekend too. CC Sabathia was chased early Saturday and the offense was quieted for the third straight game by the Red Sox in a 9-5 loss at Fenway.

The Yankees have allowed more than seven runs in seven straight games, a first in team history. They allowed nine or more in three straight games for the first time since 2015. ...

[Sabathia] allowed five runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings. He gave up two homers ... It was the first time he had allowed five runs to the Red Sox since 2013. And it was his third straight start allowing at least five runs, which ties the longest stretch of his career.

It has been the pitching that put the Yankees in this rough spot. The starters have allowed 48 runs in the last seven games in 26 innings pitched. That includes giving up 18 homers. ...

They have been outscored 38-13 ... They are 7-for-26 with RISP in the series.

[Aaron] Judge went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Saturday and is 1-for-14 in Boston.

Kristie Ackert, Daily News (early edition):

It was the seventh straight game the Yankees allowed seven or more runs. It was also the sixth straight game the Red Sox had put up at least eight runs on the Yankees' pitchers ...

It has been a week since a starter completed a fifth inning ...

[Boone:] "[W]e've scuffled a little bit on the mound." ...

[T]his battering has come against two teams, the Red Sox and Twins, that the Yankees have to worry about possibly seeing in October.

Ken Davidoff, Post:

Time for extreme measures.

Bullpenning. Openers. Whatever it takes to get the Yankees out of this full-blown starting pitching meltdown.

For that's what we are witnessing here at Fenway Park, CC Sabathia's abbreviated outing the latest domino to fall as the Yankees fell, 9-5, to the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon, their third straight loss to their rivals as the Sawx leapt over the losing Rays to move within eight games of the AL East-leading Yankees. ...

I'm not convinced they're doomed come October or sooner. This season remains eminently salvageable. ...

[But] The Yankees' cushion is leaking like the Exxon Valdez.

Dan Martin, Post:

An already rough series against their rivals got even worse for the Yankees on Saturday, when DJ LeMahieu sat with a tight groin. ...

LeMahieu underwent an MRI exam, and the results will help determine whether he will end up heading to the injured list. ...

Brett Gardner had similar feelings about [his] sore left knee before Gardner finally went on the IL after missing five straight games.

Dated Cultural References: The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred on March 24, 1989, more than 30 years ago.