Whats the deal with Yankees DJ LeMahieus struggles?
NEW YORK  DJ LeMahieus ground ball up the middle was no trouble. Red Sox second baseman Marwin Gonzalez backhanded it, fired it to first base and the Yankees 10th-inning threat ended. It was another example of LeMahieus shocking struggles this season, and it came at the end of a terrible 6-5 loss at Yankee Stadium that capped off a three-game sweep by Boston. Afterward, manager Aaron Boone tried to deduce whey LeMahieu  widely expected to be the teams best hitter  has been anything but. Theres been times, especially over the last 10 days or two weeks, where hes hit into some tough luck and I feel like hes really close with this flat swing and getting some good swings off, Boone told reporters. Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers  LeMahieu went hitless in five at-bats with two strikeouts and a walk. He doesnt have an extra-base hit in his last 68 plate appearances. Overall, hes hitting .259 with three homers and 14 RBI in 245 plate appearances. Hes got a .667 OPS. Buy Yankees tickets: StubHub, TicketSmarter  In 2020, LeMahieu finished third in the American League MVP vote, hitting an MLB-best .364. He hit .327 in 2019. In January, the Yankees gave LeMahieu a six-year, $90-million deal. I thought he just missed a ball to right field (Sunday) where he got a good swing off against (Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett) Richards, Boone said. Obviously, hes grinding, worked a walk. I dont think hes that far off. Just some balls hes stinging are typically at people and some of the balls like the last one, even the last two, just didnt quite find that hole where hes pushing it through that right side and up the middle. Hes just grinding right now.  Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text with beat writers and columnists. Plus, get breaking news, exclusive insight and analysis every day. Sign up now. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.