They played through the rain in The Bronx for 7 ¹/₂ innings.
But after the top of the eighth, it was decided enough was enough.
The game was halted and called after a 56-minute delay.
“The last two innings or so were pretty bad,” manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees’ 5-2, rain-shortened victory at the Stadium. “Puddles were forming. When we had the bases loaded, that line drive that [Alex Verdugo] hit that [Andrew] Chafin caught, I know even [second base umpire] Alan [Porter] came in and said, ‘It’s pretty bad, the puddles and stuff.’ Watching guys move down the line it was rough.”
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes said he felt every ball he got was pretty wet.
He had to continue to rub it. Juan Soto thought some players were wary of getting hurt.
“It was the worst. It was really tough,” the Yankees’ outfielder said. “I felt like everyone on the field was worried more about getting hurt than even the game. It was a really tough field today.”
DJ LeMahieu was able to hit Saturday and Sunday. Boone, though, is uncertain if he will be ready to start another rehabilitation assignment this week.
He has been out since mid-March with a non-displaced fracture in his right foot.
Boone said Gerrit Cole came through his first bullpen session on Saturday well and will get back on the mound this week.
The 33-year-old ace has been out with nerve irritation and edema in his right pitching elbow.
Anthony Rizzo was given the day off against Tigers left-handed ace Tarik Skubal. Rizzo was coming off a strong game, in which he homered and drove in three runs.
“Kind of something we’ve planned on the last few days going into the off day, marking this day down,” Boone said. “Wanted to stick to that.”
Boone said there was some consideration given to Rizzo playing on Sunday as his bat has heated up, but they both agreed it would be best to stick with the original plan. Oswaldo Cabrera got his first career start at first base.
