ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees’ last trip to Tropicana Field to face the Tampa Bay Rays, in June, was a forgettable one: They lost all three games, as well as their catcher, Gary Sanchez, to a groin strain.
The Yankees were back on Monday, and so was a healthy Sanchez, but the outcome did not improve much for team or player.
In the first inning of the 7-6 loss, Sanchez recorded his 10th passed ball of the season — tied for most in baseball. With Ji-Man Choi at the plate and Jake Bauers on second, Sanchez stabbed his glove at a Luis Severino breaking ball, only to miss it and have it ricochet off his foot into foul territory toward third base.