0-for-34: Paul Goldschmidt's slump epitomizes Yankees' four-game production skid

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Batting leadoff at Fenway Park on June 25, Paul Goldschmidt doubled off Boston Red Sox starter Connelly Early. The New York Yankees' first baseman, one of MLB's most consistent sluggers since 2012, opened the scoring on Jasson Dominguez's RBI single.

With two outs in the ninth inning and the Yankees trailing 6-3, Goldschmidt reached on an infield single off closer Aroldis Chapman, loading the bases. Spencer Jones entered as a pinch-runner for Goldschmidt before slugger Ben Rice grounded out, ending the game.

Goldschmidt, a seven-time All-Star, has done virtually nothing offensively since. Failing to generate a hit in his past 34 at-bats, he joined other franchise icons after reaching the inglorious milestone.

The Yankees, as a team, have done virtually nothing over their previous four outings, including Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

Leadoff batter Goldschmidt went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, lowering his batting average to .257. At the start of his hitless streak, the five-time Silver Slugger recipient was batting .301.

Goldschmidt's struggles epitomize the injury-plagued Yankees' offensive decline.

Losers of three of four, the second-place Yankees became just the second team since at least 1898 to compile three or fewer walks, 10 or fewer runs, 25 or fewer hits and strike out at least 50 times over any four-game span.

The Yankees' lone win during the skid occurred last Monday against the host Rays. They earned a 5-1 division showdown win despite producing just three hits (all home runs) and striking out 17 times.

Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees fall into historical slump

Without Goldschmidt providing the lineup with a spark, the Yankees could continue to fall behind the division-leading Rays with injured stars Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton sidelined.

From May 25 to June 25, Goldschmidt, a former MVP, hit .339 with nine home runs and 26 RBI, but then fell into an offensive funk.

Goldschmidt isn't alone. Eight former Yankees players endured a prolonged slump of at least 0-for-30 since 1970, including iconic infielders Derek Jeter and Willie Randolph. Here is a list:

Player, Season

Goldschmidt, Through Wednesday
Aaron Hicks, 2022
Didi Gregorius, 2018
Russell Martin, 2012
Jason Giambi, 2004
Jeter, 2004
Randolph, 1988
Jim Wynn, 1977

Dropped to second in the batting order last Tuesday against the host Rays, Goldschmidt, 38, reached the 30 at-bat hitless mark by striking out four times during a 6-4 defeat.

"Obviously, the performance tonight, especially, was terrible," he said, as reported by Daily News. "I try to be more positive than that, but you strike out four times and there's guys on base, just a really bad performance.

"So just haven't played well the last week-plus."

Entering Thursday's series finale against the Rays (54-36), the Yankees (50-42) secured a league-worst five wins over their previous 20 outings.

They need Goldschmidt to reclaim his presence as a consistent run producer.

Before it's too late.