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Yankees can’t finish sweep as bats go quiet in loss to Mariners

The Yankees had hoped to bring a four-game winning streak with them Friday when they arrive in Houston for the first time since losing the 2019 ALCS.

SEATTLE — The Yankees had hoped to bring a four-game winning streak with them Friday when they arrive in Houston for the first time since losing the 2019 ALCS.

Instead, they were shut down by Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert in a 4-0 loss Thursday afternoon at T-Mobile Park.

In a pivotal week for a team that many people — including the owner — believe has underperformed so far this season, the Yankees took the first two games from Seattle before the offense was overmatched by the rookie Gilbert, who retired the final 18 batters he faced and allowed just one hit over seven innings.

Jordan Montgomery, who struggled in the first two innings, allowed a two-out solo homer to center to Kyle Seager in the first. The Yankees couldn’t get out of the hole, as they failed to complete a series sweep for the seventh time in nine tries.

The Yankees had a chance to tie the game in the second, when Giancarlo Stanton led off with a rocket double to left. Luke Voit was hit by a pitch before Stanton moved to third on Gleyber Torres’ fly ball to center.

Aaron Judge and the Yankees were shut out by the Mariners on Thursday.
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But Gio Urshela struck out and Brett Gardner grounded out on a nice play by shortstop J.P. Crawford to end the threat — the lone one of the day against Gilbert.

After drilling Voit in the second, Gilbert didn’t allow another base runner, while Montgomery’s home run trouble continued in the second inning.

He retired the first two batters before Luis Torrens singled to left and Dylan Moore homered to center to make it 3-0.

Montgomery settled down after the second and didn’t permit another run before leaving with two outs in the seventh after a season-high 105 pitches.

Next up before the All-Star break is a three-game series against the Astros. It will be the Yankees’ first trip to Houston since the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal became public.

The Yankees took two of three from Houston in The Bronx in May. Dusty Baker’s team is in first place in the AL West.

The Yankees have more pressing concerns than enacting revenge on playoff losses from two or four years ago. For one thing, they remain in fourth place in the AL East, with another postseason appearance certainly in jeopardy.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Dan Martin

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