German’s loss to Tribe sounds alarm for arms

CLEVELAND — A night after the Yankees lost out on free agent Dallas Keuchel, Domingo German went out and gave them reason enough to keep looking to bolster their rotation. The young right-hander got punished for his mistakes again as Cleveland beat the Yankees 5-2 at Progressive Field.

It was the fourth loss in five games for the Yankees (39-23), who earlier in the week dropped two of three to the Blue Jays, their first series loss in their last 10 series played.

German allowed four runs on four hits over six innings Friday night. He struck out six and walked one.

In his first game of the season after Tommy John surgery on his right arm in October, Didi Gregorius went 2for-3. Aaron Hicks hit his second home run in as many games and Clint Frazier, who was Cleveland’s first-round pick in the 2013 draft, had two hits and doubled in the Yankees’ first run.

That gave German a 2-0 lead, but he could not hold it. The 26-year-old gave up an RBI-single to Jason Kipinis in the fourth. He allowed a solo shot to Tyler Naquin in the fifth and a two-run shot to Carlos Santana in the sixth.

In his first nine starts this season, German allowed four home runs. In his last four, he has allowed eight.

“You make a mistake and they take advantage sometimes. Not the best, but something we’ve been working on,” German said through an interpreter. “I know something I can definitely fix. Just a couple minor things that will help me get back to where I was before.”

In those first nine starts, German looked like he was the heir apparent to the injured Luis Severino’s role as the Yankees’ ace.

He started the season with a 2.50 ERA with a .179 batting average against and 52 strikeouts through his first 50.1 innings pitched. He allowed just four home runs over that span.

In his last four starts, German’s ERA has ballooned to 7.50. He has allowed 16 earned runs over 19.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 25 in that span and walked just four.

Aaron Boone isn’t ready to sound the alarm on German yet.

“Look, you want to keep the ball in the ballpark, no question,” the Yankees manager said. “That’s about being a little sharper, and convicted with our pitches.

“But I feel he’s real close to being the guy we’ve seen.”

German wasn’t the only issue Friday night.

Cleveland starter Zach Plesac quieted the Yankees’ bats after the third inning. The rookie pitched seven innings, holding the Bombers to two runs on six hits. The Yankees were 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position. DJ LeMahieu had his 11-game hitting streak snapped, going 0-for-4, and Luke Voit took the Golden Sombrero with four strikeouts.

“To their credit they shut us down a little bit, quieted us in middle innings,” Boone said.

But the Yankees’ expectations to win the American League East and make a run at their first World Series title since 2009 will require more than five starters.

“Right now we have enough. Five strong right now,” Boone said. “As the season unfolds, if we get into a situation where we have a need, I know we’re always going to kick the tires and improve our club.”

The time to kick some tires is now, because German is not their only concern.

The 38-year-old CC Sabathia is pitching with a bad right knee in his final major league season. James Paxton has already missed three weeks with inflammation in his left knee.

As for Severino’s return, he is still weeks away from a bullpen session, let alone a facing batters.

Jordan Montgomery, who had Tommy John surgery last season, is still a “ways away,” and Loaisiga was shut down for six weeks last month.