On a tense Monday night at Yankee Stadium, Clarke Schmidt delivered arguably the best pitching performance of his season, yet the New York Yankees suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels in an 11-inning marathon. Despite Schmidt’s dominant outing, the Yankees remain mired in a scoring drought, extending their scoreless streak to 20 innings and suffering their first four-game losing streak of the season.
Schmidt’s night was a showcase of precision and stamina. Over 7.2 innings, he allowed just four hits, issued no walks, and struck out three batters. His efficiency was notable, requiring only 97 pitches to secure his second consecutive quality start and fifth overall this season. While his strikeout total might seem modest, Schmidt generated an impressive 13 swings and misses, highlighting his ability to keep hitters off balance.
The right-hander’s performance was all the more remarkable considering he missed the start of the season due to right rotator cuff tendinitis. Now, Schmidt is steadily establishing himself as a reliable starter for the Yankees, a sentiment echoed by manager Aaron Boone. Boone praised Schmidt’s control and adaptability, noting, “He was so efficient, he wasn’t spraying the ball at all, which he can do sometimes. I thought he was really sharp with his stuff.” Boone also highlighted Schmidt’s expanding arsenal, mentioning his use of the sinker, cutter, and four-seam fastballs to navigate a challenging right-handed Angels lineup.
Schmidt’s command was evident early on. After surrendering a first-inning single to Mike Trout, he retired the next 16 batters in succession, a streak that underscored his dominance on the mound. However, the Angels managed to break through in the late innings. In the sixth, Nolan Schanuel notched a two-out single, and later in the eighth, Christian Moore—hitting his first career triple—managed to get on base. Schmidt exited the game after Moore’s triple, leaving reliever Fernando Cruz to escape the inning unscathed by striking out Zach Neto.
Despite Schmidt’s efforts, the Yankees offense faltered. They went an abysmal 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position, a statistic that has become a frustrating theme for the team. Boone acknowledged the team’s struggles but remained composed, stating, “With that said, I thought we had OK at-bats, and we didn’t walk enough and [Soriano] kept us in the ballpark. I thought enough guys down the lineup had some hard-hit balls, but when you are not hitting the ball out of the ballpark and you are having a hard time scoring runs, you have to take advantage of some situational things that come up.”
The Yankees had a golden opportunity to win the game in the ninth inning. Giancarlo Stanton, playing his first game of the season, led off with a double off Angels closer Kenley Jansen, setting the stage for a potential walk-off. Unfortunately, the Yankees couldn’t capitalize, leaving Stanton stranded and the game tied at zero.
The Angels finally broke the deadlock in the top of the 11th inning. Nolan Schanuel doubled down the left-field line, scoring Christian Moore and handing the Angels a 1-0 lead that they would hold onto for the win. Angels right-hander José Soriano matched Schmidt’s scoreless brilliance, pitching seven shutout innings and earning a no-decision.
Schmidt’s performance lowered his earned run average from 3.60 to 3.16 over 62.2 innings pitched. His current scoreless streak now stands at an impressive 18 1/3 innings, signaling his growing consistency and resilience on the mound.
Looking ahead, Schmidt is slated to make his next start in the Yankees’ upcoming weekend home series against the Baltimore Orioles. This outing will be another opportunity for him to build on his recent form and help the Yankees halt their scoring woes.
Beyond the physical game, Schmidt has also become a focal point for fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Underdog Fantasy’s MLB picks for June 16, 2025, recommended betting on Schmidt to finish with more than 6.5 strikeouts in his game against the Angels, highlighting his recent strikeout surge. Schmidt has recorded at least seven strikeouts in three of his last four outings and boasts a 25.2% strikeout rate with a 9.3 K/9 on the season. Interestingly, the Angels have the highest team strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this year at 26.2%, making Schmidt’s strikeout potential a tantalizing prospect for fantasy players.
Meanwhile, the Yankees’ offensive struggles continue to be a concern. Their inability to convert runners in scoring position has been a persistent issue, as evidenced by their 1-for-18 performance in this game. Despite leading the American League in runs scored with 370, the team has yet to find a rhythm in recent innings, failing to take a lead in their past 39 innings.
Manager Boone’s calm in the face of adversity speaks volumes about the team’s confidence in their overall capabilities. His acknowledgment of the Angels’ Soriano and the Yankees’ own missed opportunities reflects a balanced perspective on the game’s outcome.
For Schmidt, the journey is one of growth and adaptation. He remarked, “I think we are continuing to push the envelope and going deep in games – pushing six, seven innings. That’s what quality starters do in this game. I’m really encouraged by that.” His commitment to refining his pitching arsenal and increasing his innings pitched bodes well for the Yankees’ rotation.
As the Yankees prepare for their next series, all eyes will be on Schmidt to maintain his strong form and lead the pitching staff. The team’s offense, meanwhile, will need to find ways to break through the tough pitching they’ve faced lately to avoid further losing streaks.
Monday’s game was a microcosm of the Yankees’ season so far: brilliant pitching performances overshadowed by offensive struggles. Schmidt’s no-decision, despite his dominant outing, encapsulates the frustration of a team searching for answers at the plate while relying on emerging stars on the mound.
With the season progressing, the Yankees hope that Schmidt’s steady development and the eventual awakening of their offense will combine to turn the tide. Until then, the team will continue to battle through tight games and tough losses, with Schmidt’s performances offering a beacon of hope amid the challenges.
