Clarke Schmidt gets knocked around in loss to Guardians as Yankees’ comeback falls short

The last time the Yankees were here before Monday, they were clinching the American League pennant on the back of an epic home run from Juan Soto.

Of course, Soto was nowhere to be found in the rematch Monday, nor were the high stakes of the ALCS.

The Yankees tried to add some late drama to this one, nearly coming all the way back from a six-run deficit before falling to the Guardians 6-4 at Progressive Field.

Coming off a win filled with drama and a dash of controversy Sunday against the Rays, the Yankees (14-9) kept things fairly simple Monday by getting straight-up beat.

Clarke Schmidt reacts during the Yankees’ loss to the Guardians on April 21.

Jose Ramirez (r.) reacts after hitting a home run during the Guardians’ win against the Yankees on April 21.

Clarke Schmidt got knocked around in his second start of the season, giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks across four innings while striking out seven.

The right-hander, who was solid in his debut last week after a delayed start to the season because of a shoulder issue in camp, was not as sharp Monday.

Most of the damage came on back-to-back pitches in the third inning, when he gave up a three-run homer to José Ramírez and a solo shot to Kyle Manzardo, putting the Yankees in a 4-0 hole.

Jasson Dominguez reacts after homering during the Yankees’ loss to the Guardians on April 21.

It was 6-0 in the seventh inning when Jasson Domínguez clobbered a 445-foot, two-run blast off Gavin Williams, who had otherwise been dominant.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. then crushed a two-run shot of his own in the eighth inning off former Mets reliever Paul Sewald to make it 6-4.

In the process, Chisholm tied Aaron Judge for the team lead with seven home runs.

Austin Wells and Judge then came to the plate as the potential tying runs in the ninth inning, but Cade Smith — filling in for Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who had pitched on three straight days — struck out both of them to finish it off.