4 Errors For New York Yankees Highlighted By Jasson Dominguez’s Gaffe
Four errors punctuated by a seventh-inning fielding gaffe by the so-called “Martian,” Jasson Domiguez, made a forgettable night for the Yankees in Toronto on Wednesday. The Blue Jays constantly applied pressure and took advantage of the 4 errors made by the Yankees in an ugly loss. Ironically, the game, probably the most important of the season, was supposed to be a victory, but the Yankees’ 4 errors ruined that.
Dominguez, a rookie of the year candidate, hit a home run in the first inning, but misplayed a ball hit by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the seventh inning. If the Yankees continue to play like this, do you think the Yankees will make the playoffs?
Dominguez’s Seventh-Inning Error
Dominguez capped the pathetic evening of defensive lapses for the Yankees. In the seventh inning, Guerrero Jr. hit a clean single. Dominguez fielded it, bobbled it, and on the bobble, Vladdy took second base. That made 4 errors for the Yankees on the night. The Dominguez error was on Guerrero Jr. taking second base. The Blue Jays made the Yankees pay. The next batter, Bo Bichette, hit a two-run home run off reliever Scott Effross. At this point in the game, the Yankees had more errors than hits.
Dominguez has been dubbed “The Martian” because of his freakish athletic ability. He does hit well from the left side, as witnessed by his home run last night in the first inning. However, he cannot hit from the right side and struggles defensively. Dominguez is often replaced defensively late in games. So much so that Yankee Manager Aaron Boone is criticized often for the defensive switches. His committing 1 of 4 errors for the Yankees last night will not help his playing time case.
The Other Errors
In committing 4 errors last night, the Yankees embarrassed themselves and their fans. Dominguez committed the fourth error, capping an awful evening. However, there were three other errors committed by the Yankees last night. They seemed unprepared to play what was their most important game of the season.
In the fifth inning of a game tied at two, Max Fried fielded a weak hit from Guerrero Jr. with a runner on third base, who ran home. Fried awkwardly threw the ball to Catcher JC Escarra, who muffed the low throw. Two runs scored. Then moments later, Jazz Chisholm Jr. threw the ball away after cleanly fielding it. This mistake did not result in any runs. However, it fit a pattern of sloppy play.
Third, in the sixth inning, Cody Bellinger, who is usually defensively solid, lost a routine fly ball in the twilight. It bounced over his head for a triple. Myles Straw followed with a run-scoring double. Dominguez followed with his gaffe in the seventh inning, which made it 4 errors for the Yankees.
Boone Ejected
The ugly defensive effort by the Yankees led to the fourth ejection of the year for Boone. Boone seems to be losing it, though the Yankees have 60 games left and the trade deadline ahead. Yankee Pitching Coach Matt Blake was also ejected from the game. They were both ejected for arguing balls and strikes, but there was clear frustration from the pathetic defensive effort, with the Yankees committing 4 errors. Neither was around to see Dominguez commit his gaffe in the seventh inning.
Conclusion
The Yankees continue to make errors. The 4 errors they made last night were part of a sloppy six-week slide that has seen their seven-game lead in the American League East turn into a four-game deficit. The Yankees do have 60 games remaining and are likely to acquire some assets by the trade deadline. Dominguez committed the fourth and final error for the Yankees last night. He has been much maligned for his poor defense, and it will be interesting to see if his playing time suffers.
