New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. has established an unwanted historical record just three weeks into his major league career, committing an error for the sixth consecutive game. This dubious distinction marks the first time a Yankees shortstop has made an error in six straight games since Roger Peckinpaugh in 1915.
The rookie's latest miscue occurred during Thursday night's 5-1 loss to the Houston Astros. In the eighth inning, a ground ball hit by Yainer Diaz caromed off Lombard's glove, allowing Christian Walker to advance to second base. The ball then went to third baseman Jose Caballero, who was charged with a throwing error to first base, enabling Walker to score Houston's fifth run.
"The one today, it's kind of that in-between ball. So you're like, is the third baseman getting there? Is he not? There's a little indecisiveness there," Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on the play. "So I think that played into that a little bit."
Lombard has committed seven errors in his first 20 games. The 21-year-old acknowledged the issue after the game, stating, "It's something we're trying to figure out. It's not acceptable. It can't happen at this level. If you make your pitchers have to get extra outs it just makes it way harder on us, and teams are going to capitalize. So it's something that we're definitely going to have to clean up and I've got to be better tomorrow."
Despite the recent defensive struggles, Lombard has still managed to turn 15 double plays. His fielding percentage currently stands at .925. The Yankees had utilized Anthony Volpe and Jose Caballero at shortstop before calling up their top prospect, Lombard.
Last season, Volpe led American League shortstops with 19 errors, playing through a torn labrum in his shoulder for the final four months. Boone expressed confidence in Lombard's ability to overcome this period, noting, "The good thing about George is you know he's so skilled and gifted out there and foundationally he's really good, too. So he will get through it."