It was clearly sarcasm but also perhaps an indication of Joe Girardi’s frustration level.
“You want me to hit Torreyes fourth?” the Yankees manager said, his voice tinged with equal parts irritation and exasperation.
Girardi had just watched his team fall, 3-2, to the Rangers on Wednesday night, marking the 15th time in the Yankees’ first 20 games they managed three runs or fewer.
An underwhelming starting rotation that too often has taxed the bullpen is a significant reason the Yankees go into this weekend’s series against the Red Sox at Fenway 8-12 and last in the AL East, but an offense that has shown few signs of a breakout is just as culpable, if not more.