’s smooth ride through the 2017 season hit a sudden patch of turbulence Sunday when the veteran right-hander appeared to suffer a brief recurrence of the “yips” that derailed his 2016 season last August.
McCarthy, who entered with a 6-3 record and 2.87 ERA in 12 starts, retired the side in order in the first but lost control of his four-seam fastball and cutter in the second, throwing three wild pitches and walking two during a three-run inning.
An error by shortstop Enrique Hernandez on a potential double-play grounder in the third paved the way for two more runs, and McCarthy was pulled after three innings in which he gave up five runs — four earned — and four hits, struck out two and walked two.