Carlos Rodon struggled significantly in the Yankees' 5-2 loss to the Washington Nationals, allowing five runs over 5.2 innings while striking out eight batters. His woes began early, surrendering a home run to rookie Dylan Crews on just the second pitch of the game, followed by a balk that allowed another run to score. Rodon faced multiple PitchCom issues, leading to a chaotic first inning where the Nationals capitalized with aggressive base running. The Yankees' offense faltered, going 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position throughout the series, further hampering their chances to recover. Despite a strong finish to his outing, Rodon’s inconsistency has been a concern, highlighted by giving up 25 home runs this season, nine in the first inning. This loss marked a disappointing series for the Yankees against one of the weaker teams in the league, narrowing their lead in the AL East to just half a game.