New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton could very well have another MVP-caliber performance in his first season in the Bronx. But for now, it really isn’t going too swimmingly. Stanton entered Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles with a .200 average and 15 strikeouts in just 35 at-bats this season.
We can now add five more strikeouts to that total after Stanton went hitless in seven at-bats in what was ultimately an 8-7 extra innings loss. It’s second time this season that Stanton has struck out five times without recording a single hit.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Stanton is the first player in the live ball era to accomplish said feat twice in the same season.
Giancarlo Stanton is the first player in the live ball era to have 2 games with 0 hits and 5 strikeouts in the same season.
It's April 8th. pic.twitter.com/TBy91mpYcJ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 8, 2018
Remember, Stanton struck out five times in his regular season Yankee Stadium debut this past Tuesday. It led to fans of the Bronx Bombers showering him with boos all throughout the stadium.
It truly is stunning to see Stanton struggle at this clip. Last season with the Miami Marlins, the reigning NL MVP struck out just 85 times in nearly 600 at-bats. Over the course of his first 42 at-bats this season, Stanton has gone down to the strikeout a whopping 20 times.