That Loss Hurt, In More Ways Than One

Just when we thought the Yankees had hit their way out of the slump that began before the All-Star Break, they've stopped hitting again.

This game, against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee, hurt -- in more ways than one. In the top of the 3rd, Marwin González, the Yankee 1st baseman in this game, batted for the 1st time, and when Brewer catcher Victor Caratini tried to throw the ball back to his pitcher, Brandon Woodruff, it hit González in the side of the head!

This was the Brewers, not the Boston Red Sox, so it can be safely presumed that it was a mistake and an accident. Still, González had to leave the game. He is listed as day-to-day. Aaron Hicks was sent up to pinch-hit, and struck out.

So, for the bottom of the 3rd, manager Aaron Boone had to do some rearranging. Oswaldo Cabrera was moved from right field to 1st base, Aaron Judge was moved from center field to his natural position of right, and Hicks was put in center.

Jameson Taillon had gotten through the 1st 2 innings allowing only 1 baserunner, a walk. But now, well, you know what leadoff walks can do. He allowed one -- and, as it turned out, the leadoff hitter was Caratini. After striking out Garrett Mitchell, he allowed a single to Christian Yelich, and a home run to Willy Adames. (Every time I see his name, I think of Eight Is Enough and Charles In Charge actor Willie Aames.) It was 3-0 Milwaukee.

Josh Donaldson led off the top of the 4th with a home run, but the Yankees only got 1 more hit the rest of the way, by the much-maligned Hicks, of all people. Brewers 4, Yankees 1. WP: Woodruff (11-4). SV: Devin Williams (13). LP: Taillon (13-5).

The series concludes this afternoon. Gerrit Cole starts for the Yankees, and Jason Alexander for the Brewers.

Sadly, no, not that Jason Alexander.