The results may have been all too familiar for Zach Britton, but the lefty insisted he felt better on the mound after Monday’s 8-5 loss to the Mets at the Stadium.
Still, the Yankees didn’t trade for Britton to slowly regain the form that made him one of the best closers in the game and in his latest outing, the former All-Star was scored upon again.
Britton came on to pitch the ninth in a game the Yankees trailed by a pair of runs and for the second straight outing — and third time in four appearances — Britton couldn’t keep the opposing team from scoring.
This one wasn’t entirely Britton’s fault, as a Gleyber Torres miscue at second base helped lead to a run, but Britton still allowed three hits and saw his ERA over his past seven outings with the Yankees rise to 8.53 (six earned runs in 6 ¹/₃ innings).
On the bright side — if there is one — Britton didn’t walk anyone, something he wasn’t able to do in his previous two appearances. He did hit Michael Conforto with a pitch, though.
“I had the mindset I should have,” Britton said. “Which is attack the zone with my sinker and get the guys to put the ball in play on the ground. Just continue to do that, whether they get a hit or an out. That’s been my mindset prior, but this year that approach has been inconsistent.’’
It’s likely due in part to Britton still trying to regain his form following December Achilles surgery, but unlike his first 16 outings of the season, when he was with Baltimore, these appearances are during a playoff race.
Britton hopes to keep the same attitude and hopes he gets better results down the stretch.
“It’s [about] being aggressive in the strike zone,’’ said Britton, who relayed the message manager Aaron Boone gave him. “Aaron talked to me about getting me out there as much as I can so I can get in a nice rhythm and get back to myself.’’
The Yankees hope that happens sooner rather than later.



