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During a night when the Yankees’ lineup was unproductive for the third consecutive game and their defense fell short, the team wasted an exceptional pitching performance.
Will Warren wasn’t perfect, but he was awfully impressive and seems to be gaining confidence by the start.
“Lost in [the game] a little bit is how dominant an outing he had,” manager Aaron Boone said after Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Angels in The Bronx.
The young right-handed pitcher recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts in a solid six-inning outing, allowing three runs that mostly resulted from well-hit balls finding gaps and two singles that the defense failed to contain in the infield.
In the second, a diving DJ LeMahieu could not smother a ground ball from Luis Rengifo, which scored a run.
An inning later, Jazz Chisholm Jr. similarly deflected a single from Taylor Ward, albeit on a tougher play, to drive in two.
That represented the entirety of the Angels output against Warren, who retired the next and final 11 batters he faced after the Ward hit.
He commanded his four-seamer well in drawing eight whiffs and consistently got ahead in counts with his sinker.

“Thought that was the best he’s commanded his fastball,” Austin Wells said.
Boone commended Warren’s performance, noting the improvement in his fastball, which has led to a significant drop in his ERA from 5.65 in early May to 4.83. The four-seam pitches have been especially effective, making it challenging for batters to make solid contact.
Warren does not overwhelm with heat — his fastball averaged 93.4 mph — but its horizontal movement, lower arm slot, accuracy and some deception have helped him sail.
“I think from my slot and just getting it to the spots that we need it to be,” Warren said, “it catches them off guard.”

Paul Goldschmidt (0-for-4) played in his 2,000th career game, the fourth most for an active player.
He trails Andrew McCutchen (2,191), Carlos Santana (2,147) and Freddie Freeman (2,095).
After the game, the Yankees optioned righty Scott Effross to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, likely clearing the way for JT Brubaker to be activated.
Ben Rice was back in catcher’s gear before the game, squatting behind home plate during Luke Weaver’s live batting practice.
Boone said he still does not have a date for when Rice will catch a game, which he continues to say will happen at some point with Giancarlo Stanton back in the lineup.
Catching would give Rice — whose bat belongs but who is frequently out of the starting lineup because of the cramped position-player picture — another way into the order.
Rice and Trent Grisham began Tuesday on the bench while Jasson Domínguez played left, Cody Bellinger was in center, Goldschmidt started at first and Stanton served as designated hitter.