The Yankees are feeling increased pressure after being swept by the Rays and struggling against the Angels, despite two late-game victories. Their recent performance has been marred by mistakes, including ineffective relief pitching and poor base running.
Key points
Yankees swept by the Rays
Yankees won two games against Angels
Aaron Judge hit four home runs
Mike Trout hit five home runs
Yankees lost seven of last nine games
New York YankeesLos Angeles AngelsAaron JudgeMike Trout
NEW YORK - Coming off being swept by the Rays at Tampa Bay, the Yankees couldāve easily been swept again.
In a four-game set with another AL mediocrity, the Los Angeles Angels, the Yanks managed to pull off two rabbit-out-of-a-hat wins ā after trailing in the ninth inning both times.
This was mostly an entertaining and historic series, featuring two future Hall of Famers slugging it out.
Aaron Judge clubbed his fourth homer of the series in Thursday afternoonās first inning, and Mike Trout later smashed his fifth ā on the way to an 11-4 Angels victory.
Ineffective relief, poor decisions on the bases, and a couple of unmade infield defensive plays contributed to the Yanksā seventh loss in their last nine games.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases on his two-run home run against Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Q&A
What mistakes are the Yankees making this season?
The Yankees have been struggling with ineffective relief pitching, poor decisions on the bases, and unmade infield defensive plays.
How did the Yankees perform against the Angels?
The Yankees managed to win two games against the Angels after trailing in the ninth inning, but ultimately lost the series.
What is the Yankees' recent win-loss record?
The Yankees have lost seven of their last nine games, indicating a significant decline in performance.
Who are the key players involved in the Yankees vs. Angels series?
Aaron Judge and Mike Trout were the standout players, with Judge hitting four home runs in the series and Trout hitting five.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his two-run home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels scores a run during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates his three-run home run with Adam Frazier #20 and Zach Neto #9 in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees watches his game-tying, two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees scores the walk-off run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after being at the plate when a wild pitch pitch was thrown, allowing the winning run from third base score in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) celebrates with second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) is mobbed by teammates after winning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
1 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
1 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
2 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases on his two-run home run against Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
3 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his two-run home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
4 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels scores a run during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
5 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
6 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
7 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates his three-run home run with Adam Frazier #20 and Zach Neto #9 in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
8 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees watches his game-tying, two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
9 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
10 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees scores the walk-off run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
11 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after being at the plate when a wild pitch pitch was thrown, allowing the winning run from third base score in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
12 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) celebrates with second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
13 / 13
See photos of Yankees vs Angels with Aaron Judge and Mike Trout
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) is mobbed by teammates after winning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
This was the week where Oswald Peraza ā batting cleanup as an Angel ā came back to haunt the Yankees, who cast him off at last summerās trade deadline.
At the plate, Peraza went 5-for-10 with two homers, three walks, four RBI, a double and two stolen bases.
āHeās super talented, always has been,āā said manager Aaron Boone of Peraza, who batted .190 with a .548 OPS in parts of four Yankees seasons. āHeās in as good a place as heās been the past few years.āā
Peraza was another version of prime Gio Urshela, except for the pop fly that dropped between him and shortstop Zach Neto (more Netoās responsibility) that contributed to the Yanksā walk-off win Wednesday.
If he were still in pinstripes, Peraza would be the Yanksā starting third baseman, over Amed Rosario ā who started Thursday over the slumping Ryan McMahon.
Apr 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Apr 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Maybe the hardest thing for the 38,424 fans to square ā beyond the incessant, meaningless wall of sound assaulting every eardrum ā was a loss to an Angels team tossing a bullpen game versus Max Fried.
āFalling behind a lotāā in counts, said Fried, feeling he was ānot as sharpāā over his 5.1 innings, ultimately charged with five runs on three hits and three walks.
After Perazaās two-run homer in the first, following a four-pitch walk to Jo Adell, Friedās other two walks were against Trout ā the second being in the pivotal sixth inning.
Facing Trout for the first time in his career, āI was trying to throw the ball over the plate, but for some reason I was just missing,āā said Fried.
āI wanted to go after him.āā
Fried left a 3-3 game with one out, leaving it to a bullpen where the only solid trust is with Tim Hill and closer David Bednar.
After yielding a go-ahead, ground single to Vaughn Grissom just past third baseman Amed Rosario (the .119-hitting Ryan McMahon was benched), Cruz engaged in the gameās most critical at-bat.
Josh Lowe won it with a tough at-bat, fouling off four pitches and taking a pitch before dunking a two-run single to center for a 6-3 lead.
Cruzās splitter is one of the gameās most lethal pitches, but his command isnāt always consistent and Lowe, with a patient and professional approach, outlasted Cruz there.
Yankees' bullpen turbulence
Apr 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Mike Trout (27) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against New York Yankees relief pitcher Angel Chivilli (57) during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Apr 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Mike Trout (27) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against New York Yankees relief pitcher Angel Chivilli (57) during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Boone is still sifting through bullpen arms and trying to define roles.
Angel Chivilli made his Yankee debut and joined the Trout clout list, yielding a solo homer in the seventh before Jo Adellās say-goodnight grand slam off Ryan Yarbrough in the eighth.
āThatās why thereās opportunity for guys to grab roles,āā Boone said of a bullpen still finding its way, though more changes are coming.
Someone must go to the āpen when Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole return to the rotation, tracking toward mid-to-late May returns.
Top minor league starting prospects Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez could impact the Yankeesā staff sooner than later, either in the bullpen or the rotation.
That was one more item to ponder as the Angels won the home run contest this week, 13-8, led by Trout - now a .346 hitter with 13 homers in 34 career games at the current Yankee Stadium.
