Alex Verdugo poorly defends lazy bunt attempt in Yankees' embarrassing loss

The New York Yankees continue to downplay the urgency despite finding new ways to lose baseball games.

During an embarrassing 12-2 loss against the worst team in Major League Baseball — and likely the worst team in history — the Yankees seemingly feel no urgency in taking advantage of the final stretch of the season.

One of the prime examples was the poor explanation Alex Verdugo gave following his lazy bunt attempt in the top of the fourth inning. Down 2-1, the Yankees started the inning with two walks against a White Sox starter who already had walked six batters.

Verdugo came to the plate looking to move the runners over with a bunt. In theory, that mindset could work. What Verdugo did was give an extremely lazy bunt attempt that resulted in a pop out to the pitcher.

The bunt attempt, which is about as bad as it gets, wasn't even the worst part. It was Verdugo's poor explanation after the game.

“I kind of didn’t really want to bunt, but I was already kind of out there,” Verdugo said . "I just got a little lazy with it and popped it up. That’s, like, the first bunt I’ve ever popped up. It happens.”

This is not the mentality of a team that is primed to win the World Series. Those teams don't allow the *checks notes* 29-91 White Sox to score a season-high 12 runs. The Yankees left 16 runners on base and were 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position.

Even worse? The Yankees aren't even that upset about the humiliating loss. Verdugo downplayed the notion that this was a wake-up call.

"No, I just think it’s a normal day,” Verdugo said. “Another day where it just happens that we’re on the tough side of it. It’s baseball, right? I mean, yeah, they’re one of the worst teams if you want to put it that way, but these guys are still big leaguers. They can still have days where they’re clicking.”

The lack of a killer mentality has been the theme of the Yankees' performance since the middle of June, and it will ultimately be their downfall come October.

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