Will Warren reacts to disastrous start against Dodgers after the Los Angeles Dodgers overwhelmed the New York Yankees with an 18-2 victory on May 31. Warren started for the Yankees in the primetime game, which left his team facing a possible series sweep as the Dodgers demonstrated dominance reminiscent of last year’s World Series performance.

Warren Acknowledges His Struggle in a Key Matchup

Facing a powerful Dodgers lineup on national television, Warren had a difficult outing that starkly contrasted his previous efforts this season. The 25-year-old pitcher conceded seven earned runs in just over an inning of work, unable to contain a Dodgers offense that scored in bunches throughout the game.

Reflecting on his performance, Warren said,

“It sucks. It hurts. I let the team down.”

—Will Warren, Yankees pitcher

Warren’s challenges were evident as he gave up six hits and issued four walks before being removed from the game after 1.1 innings. In total, he threw 57 pitches, under half of which were strikes. The Yankees resorted to using eight different pitchers, while the Dodgers managed to close the game with just three, even calling upon position player Enrique Hernandez to finish strong.

Dodgers’ Offensive Surge Leaves Yankees Reeling

The Dodgers piled on 21 hits and kept scoring consistently. They exploded with four runs in the first inning, followed by six more in the second. Additional runs came in the fifth, seventh, and eighth innings, sealing a crushing 18-2 defeat for the Yankees. Across the first two games of the series, Los Angeles outpaced New York 26-7.

Warren’s Previous Starts Highlight Ongoing Difficulties

Prior to this game, Warren had never surrendered more than four earned runs in an outing this season. His most recent comparable struggles were single games allowing four runs to the Pirates on April 6 and to the Orioles on April 28, the latter resulting in his first loss of the year. Both those teams are generally lower-ranked compared to the Dodgers.

Interestingly, Warren’s toughest performances have come against below-average teams. His worst career start was August 7, 2024, when he allowed eight earned runs over 4.1 innings against the Angels, who had a losing record at the time. In that context, the seven runs given up to the strong 36-22 Dodgers, while damaging, are somewhat more understandable.

Outlook for Warren and the Season Moving Forward

This blowout loss puts pressure on the Yankees, as they aim to prevent a series sweep and regain momentum against a top-tier Dodgers team. Warren’s candid admission about his performance reveals his awareness of the responsibility he carries and the need to rebound in future starts. How he adjusts after this tough outing will be critical for both his development and the Yankees’ hopes this season.