Offensive Struggles Continue

This won't be a long post.  I think losing this game shows why it was so important to extend our relievers doing well in game 2.  That golden opportunity to go up 2-0 was lost because we didn't extend Green and Britton. 

Cole had his good stuff but he did not have his normal command.  We had the chance to beat him but our sticks have gone pretty silent.  Of course, we could say it was the stuff of Cole and clearly it is at times, but other times we are just missing mistakes or guessing wrong.  While half our team can be used as an example of missing or taking mistakes and then swinging at balls; a good example of the "stuff" getting us was when Judge was up with a 1-0 count and he was looking fastball and got it but it ran up and in on him and he swung and was on it but the pitch was in a spot that was tough to do anything with and he hit a towering fly out. 

We had an opportunity to beat Cole because of his control issues and we just didn't swing well.  We had bases loaded and Didi swung at the first pitch breaking ball for a ground out and then we had 2 guys on again in the 2nd and 4th.

Didi just missing the 3 run HR was frustrating but an example of us just not swinging well.  I seriously don't think Didi has hit an off-speed pitch away solid in a month.

Sanchez has been awful at the plate as he doesn't seem to be able to square up a pitch.  I also was very disappointed with how lazy he was on the pitches in the dirt by Britton.  Those were not easy blocks, but he didn't move his feet at all and tried to use the glove both times rather than the chest protector.  the first pitch got stopped by the ump which was a huge lucky play.  You would think the next one Sanchez would be ready for but again his setup was not giving him the ability to move well (his feet were well outside his knees) and the next one went for a wild pitch.

I hated the lineup as I don't understand the logic in batting Gardner 3rd when he hasn't been swinging that well?  I want Torres batting 3rd because he is a better hitter and I want him up a possible extra time.  I know Boone was trying to separate the lefties but you could just drop Gregorius a spot if needed and move Gardner to 5th.  In the 1st inning, with 1st and 2nd and nobody out, a bunt with Gardner had to be on the table and with him popping out, it would have been a better choice.

Once again, Boone is so intent on getting Ottavino in, but once again Ottavino has been bad.  I would not use him until we are desperate at this point to get one righty out as he has a 20.25 ERA allowing 3 of our 7 runs so far while getting 4 outs!

We have to take the last 2 in Yankee stadium!