The New York Yankees fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, striking out 17 times for the second straight game. The performance set a new franchise record with 34 strikeouts over two games and marked their 13th loss in 17 contests.
Yankees hitters have struck out 10 or more times in 12 of their last 17 games during a 4-13 skid that began on June 20. The team ranks last in baseball in runs per game, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage over that stretch.
Cody Bellinger went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts and noted the Rays' strong pitching arms. Manager Aaron Boone said the club must improve its situational hitting and become tougher outs while facing quality pitching.
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton remain on the injured list, while several regulars including Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice have struggled. The loss left New York at 50-41, four games behind the Rays in the AL East but still holding the top wild-card spot.
