The New York Yankees faced a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals, hindered by unexpected struggles from ace Gerrit Cole, who allowed three runs on two home runs in five innings. Cole, despite his prior success, acknowledged that he executed his pitches well but was simply beaten by the opposing hitters. The Yankees' offense struggled to capitalize on opportunities, particularly in the eighth inning when Aaron Judge grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. Defensive errors also plagued the Yankees, with catcher Jose Trevino committing crucial mistakes that contributed to the Nationals' scoring. Ultimately, the Yankees managed to score only two runs despite late-game chances, leading to frustration among players and fans alike. This loss leaves the Yankees at 79-54 as they head into a critical stretch of the season.