There was a time when a stinker like the one the Yankees delivered Thursday night against the Angels could be downplayed because Masahiro Tanaka was getting the ball for the next game.
That feeling no longer is part of the Yankees’ psyche because the former ace is in the middle of a pitcher’s nightmare that seemingly has no end.
Had the Yankees been able to make an early four-run lead against the Angels stand up Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, their level of concern wouldn’t be as high Friday evening.
After Aaron Judge’s three-run homer in the second inning, however, the Yankees sent two batters to the plate with runners in scoring position.