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Aaron Boone Urges Yankees to Improve After 10-1 Loss to Angels Amid Playoff Chase
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- Aaron Boone Urges Yankees to Improve After 10-1 Loss to Angels Amid Playoff Chase
Aaron Boone had a blunt message for the New York Yankees after their ugly start to September.
Following Monday night's 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Boone acknowledged that his team simply failed to execute, offering a reminder of how quickly things can unravel in the major leagues.
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"Obviously an ugly one for us tonight," Boone said. "It's just a great reminder that in this league, you got to play well or you get it handed to you."
The loss came at the beginning of a West Coast stretch with the Yankees still chasing the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League East lead. New York entered September with a 78-60 record, sitting 4.5 games behind Tampa Bay.
Boone's decision to use David Bednar for an inning also drew frustration from some Yankees fans, particularly with the game already out of reach.
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The Yankees are also still waiting for Aaron Judge's return. Judge has been sidelined since May 31 with a stress fracture in his right rib, though Boone recently indicated that the star could potentially return around Sept. 8.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) Brad Penner-Imagn Images
In Judge's absence, Ben Rice has emerged as one of New York's biggest offensive contributors. Rice leads the active roster with 35 home runs and 86 RBIs while carrying a.350 OBP.
Despite the setback, the Yankees remain in strong postseason position at 78-60. But with the Rays holding a 4.5-game lead, Boone's message underscored the urgency facing New York as the regular season enters its final month.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
