TORONTO — The Yankees had a lead at one point tonight. Things were looking good at one point tonight, then the tide turned.

Carlos Rodon went just five innings and struggled with his command all night, but the defense certainly did him no favors in the fifth inning where everything unraveled. Rodon had already given up two runs and was hunting a third out to keep the Yankees within one run. Peraza and Volpe both had other ideas. They both threw away potential inning-ending ground outs resulting in two more Toronto runs. For two players who are on this roster because of their defense, for those errors to occur in that big of a spot is a huge issue.

I have just one question for Boone, is Volpe still “fucking elite”, or can we agree that his entire game has taken a noticeable step back.

The Yankees are now on a five-game losing streak against Toronto, going back to the sweep two weeks ago. The Yankees have also not won a road game against the AL East since April 30th in Baltimore. That’s the final game in Baltimore, three in Boston, and now five in Toronto, so nine in a row. You can’t win divisions by losing big division games on the road.

The offense — besides Giancarlo Stanton — was asleep against Gausman. They were able to generate some baserunners but could not break through and get a big hit.

The Yankees also did nothing against the Toronto bullpen despite getting some baserunners in the eighth inning.

The Yankees have an absolute must-win game tomorrow with a young Cam Schlittler. The next two days will tell us exactly how this Yankee team will fare under pressure in big-time games. Sitting now four games back of the east, this becomes two important performances by Schlittler and Fried.

(Top Image Credit: YES Network)