About Last Night: LAA 1, NYY 0

By Ethan Semendinger

June 17th, 2025

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Where did the offense go?

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Quick Stats -

• Winning Pitcher: Ryan Zeferjahn (4-1, 4.85 ERA)

• Losing Pitcher: Jonathan Loaisiga (0-1, 3.14 ERA)

• Save: Hunter Strickland (1)

• Home Runs (Los Angeles): None

• Home Runs (New York): None

Big Story - Giancarlo Stanton was set to (and did) make his 2025 season debut last night.

Calling him up was a mistake. I'm writing this now, ahead of the game, but I'm going to predict that Giancarlo Stanton is not going to provide the spark that the Yankees offense needs.

And, before you call me crazy, entertain me and read what I have to say.

Over the last three seasons (2022-2024), Giancarlo Stanton has played in 325 games (out of 486, or 66.8%). He has hit 82 home runs (an average of 27 a season). He has a .212/.291/.454 triple-slash. And, he has a OPS+ of 104.

Yes, Giancarlo Stanton has had some very big playoff moments. But, that's not who he is as an everyday hitter.

But, even if you want to believe that Stanton is primed for a big season, it still not Stanton's time to come back!

He missed Spring Training, and he only just started his rehab assignment in Double-A Somerset. He played in just 3 games and had 12 plate appearances.

In Spring Training, the follow players in the Yankees organization had a similar amount of plate appearances: Jackson Castillo (15), Branden Shewmake (15), Alexander Vargas (15), Tyler Hardman (13), Rafael Flores (12), Ronaldo Hernandez (11).

Obviously, Giancarlo Stanton is a much different caliber of player than those guys. And he has the MLB experience. And he's done so as one of the best in the game. But, that doesn't mean- at 35 years old- that Stanton is already fully accustomed to coming back to the MLB.

I hope he proves me wrong. But, I am fully expecting that it is going to take a few weeks of seeing pitchers for Stanton to get into a groove. A groove he could've better prepared himself for in the minors.

Here was the Yankees' line-up to start a 3-game series against the Angels:

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Player of the Game -

• Clarke Schmidt: 7.2 IP, 4 H's, 0 R, 0 BB's, 3 K's

Better to Forget -

• Everything Else About This Game

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The Game - The Yankees had not led a baseball game since the 9th inning of the last game against the Kansas City Royals, last Thursday. After being shut-out last night, that trend now continues for another 11 innings of baseball, adding up with another 28 from the weekend series against the Red Sox.

The- very recent- best offense in baseball has now been unable to even take a lead for over 4 games. And, that sounds and looks bad...until you realize it gets worse.

In their last 20 innings, across Sunday and Monday, the Yankees have been held scoreless, while they themselves have only given up 3 runs.

Last night's game was an absolute pitcher's duel. Clarke Schmidt had his career-longest start while holding the Angels scoreless well into the 8th inning. Meanwhile, Jose Soriano matched him through 7 innings, and the Angles bullpen did just enough to keep the Yankees from getting a run to cross the plate.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, their bullpen was also great, but they did allow a single run to score in the 11th.

And, it's not like the Yankees didn't have any chances. By my review of the game, the Yankees had a runner in scoring position in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th innings. It's almost laughable, but the Yankees went 1 for 18 (!) in these moments.

That one lone hit? Jazz Chisholm's infield single in the bottom of the 11th inning, setting up a 2-out bases loaded situation.

I'm almost at a loss for words.

But, instead I'll explain my feelings by explaining how I felt watching the Yankees lose last night.

"Zzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzz"

Yes. I slept through the 11th inning. I was dangerously close to falling asleep in the 10th inning, but after the Angels scored their run, my eyes quickly started to shut me down.

The most powerful offense in baseball!

And, yet, they can't even keep me interested enough to finish the game.

I wish I woke up to a win.

Now, I'm just hoping they can avoid this becoming a 5-game losing skid.

What a shame to waste such a great pitching performance from Clarke Schmidt too.

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Next Up - The Yankees will continue their series against the Los Angeles Angles tonight, starting at 7:05 EDT. Kyle Hendricks (4-6, 5.20 ERA) will take the mound for LA, while Will Warren (4-3, 4.86 ERA) goes for NY. Game on YES.