Aaron Boone Addresses Luis Gil’s Recent Struggles After Yankees’ Loss to Reds
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has weighed in on rookie Luis Gil’s recent struggles, which were evident in the Yankees’ 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.
Gil, who started the season strong with a 9-1 record and a 2.03 ERA over his first 14 games, has faced a rough patch lately. In his last three starts, he is 0-3 with a 14.90 ERA.
During the game against the Reds, Gil allowed four runs and two hits in just over four innings, with three walks and two hit batters. Boone commented on Gil’s performance, suggesting the issue is not fatigue but rather a difficulty in making quick adjustments: “I don’t think this is a fatigue issue. I think it’s a little out-of-sorts issue and having a harder time correcting on the fly,” he told the YES Network.
I don't think this is a fatigue issue. I think it's a little out-of-sorts issue, and having a harder time correcting on the fly.
– Aaron Boone on Luis Gil's recent struggles pic.twitter.com/VAibW0bV4Y
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 3, 2024
Gil initially performed well, retiring nine consecutive batters before Reds star Elly De La Cruz hit a triple in the fourth inning. De La Cruz later homered in the fifth inning.
The Yankees will have LHP Carlos Rodón on the mound for Wednesday’s game. Rodón has also struggled recently, posting a 0-3 record with a 13.17 ERA after a seven-game winning streak.
Aaron Judge Continues Impressive Season
Despite the team’s struggles, Aaron Judge remains a bright spot for the Yankees. In the loss to the Reds, Judge hit his 32nd home run of the season, maintaining his lead in batting average (.321), homers (32), and RBI (83) across the major leagues. Judge recently surpassed Babe Ruth for the most home runs by a Yankee before July 1, hitting his 31st homer of the season over the weekend.
Judge’s performance this season has been exceptional, with his 32 homers in 87 games surpassing his pace in 2022, when he set the American League record for home runs in a season. His RBI count is also on track for a career high.
Injury Woes Affect Yankees’ Performance
The Yankees have been plagued by injuries, affecting key players like Juan Soto and Anthony Rizzo, as well as top prospect Jasson Dominguez. These injuries have contributed to the team’s recent slump. Despite this, the Yankees are just half a game out of first place in the American League East, trailing the Baltimore Orioles but still leading the division in total wins.
