Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees Discuss Defensive Miscues Amid 9 Errors in Last 4 Games

The New York Yankees' recent struggles continued on Friday night in a 12-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies that in which they committed two more errors, giving them nine in their last four games.

Paul Goldschmidt, who committed one of the errors on Friday, told reporters after the game he was "probably" trying to do too much.

"Probably too aggressive of a play by me to try and make a play where they were going to be safe anyway, and it led to another base runner rather than just getting the out at first," Goldschmidt said. "So that was a mistake."

The play occurred with one out in the top of the seventh, with the Phillies trailing 3-2 with runners on second and third. Goldschmidt, a four-time Gold Glove winner, fielded a grounder by Nick Castellanos and rushed an off-balance throw to home in an attempt prevent the tying run from scoring, but the ball went to the backstop and two runs scored.

"I was playing in and he hit a little bit to my right, a little soft, and I knew [it was] going to be a bang-bang play at first and tried to get him at home," Goldschmidt said of his miscue. "Looking back, I should have just made the play and went to first base there. I think even if I put that throw perfect, Turner's probably still beating that out."

New York's bullpen imploded after that, allowing a total of 10 runs over the final three innings. Defense has been a problem for the Yankees all season by standard and advanced metrics. They are 22nd in errors, tied for 20th in outs above average and tied for 25th in fielding percentage.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone defended Goldschmidt's decision to try making the play at home.

"You're Paul Goldschmidt and you trust that I'm going to throw the ball on line," said Boone. "Even if we don't have a play there, maybe something happens. The runner trips or something, so you're trying to make a play there."

The Yankees are aware of their shortcomings on defense and have taken steps to address it. They acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday.

McMahon ranks in the 91st percentile among all third basemen in outs above average. Yankees third basemen, by comparison, rank in the bottom 10 outs above average and defensive runs saved.

Friday's loss dropped the Yankees to 8-11 in 19 games this month. They have lost 22 of their last 36 games since June 13 and are 5.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East.