Mark Leiter Jr. was supposed to be a difference-maker. He was supposed to strengthen the Yankees bullpen in the late innings. He was supposed to create a stronger bridge to closer Clay Holmes. Mark Leiter has not pitched well as a Yankee, with an astronomical 6.35 ERA. Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports So far, that has yet to happen. The former Cubs right-hander has not pitched well as a Yankee, with an astronomical 6.35 ERA. Explore More Hes allowed 18 hits in 11 / innings. And in 13 appearances, Leiter who did not appear in in The Bronx has held the opposition scorele s only seven times. I feel good, I feel like Im for the most part making pitches. Its Felix Bautista Jersey just the game of baseball, Leiter told The Post before the game. Sometimes things are going to even out. You have a streak where you dont give up a hit for nine games and then you have a little bit of a rougher patch. I try not to ride the wave too much. Just knowing that we play 162 games. Not getting caught up on weekly trends. Its a game of adjustments and were constantly trying to make adjustments. He added: If you look at each game, its better than probably the numbers would say. You have a game where you give up two homers I think I did that once last year as well its just part of the game. It just happened to be when I got to a new team. If I wouldve done that in Chicago right before I got traded, nobody wouldve ever thought about it. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! This has still not been the start the 33-year-old Leiter wanted, but he doesnt feel hes doing much differently than he was with the Cubs. He had performed very well with them before the July 30 deal, notching seven consecutive scorele s outings. As Leiter said, a few bad pitches have impacted the results negatively with the Yankees. Hes still striking out hitters 16 whiffs in those 11 / innings. The biggest change is Leiter has been giving up more extra-base hits, including four home runs. He gave up only two in 36 / innings with the Cubs. Sometimes they hit good pitches, thats just how it goes, he said. I dont want to overreact. The job is to contribute to wins, its a long season and well be judged at the end of the season for how we did. Ive been in pretty good counts, and the games where I maybe strike out three out of four hitters, is the game I gave up a homer. Lately, Leiter has been used earlier in games. He was brought in for the fourth inning of last Saturdays ugly lo s to the Rockies, although he did pitch in the seventh inning of Mondays win over the Nationals. I feel like hes in a pretty good headspace with it. Obviously, you come to a new team, you want to do well, manager Aaron Boone said. I feel like theres no fear, this is a guy that wants the ball, has pitched well, hes just had some outings where hes struggled, too. Its really just making sure hes getting the ball to good spots, especially his sinker thats not an overpowering pitch for him, but an important pitch to help him set up his split and his other secondary pitches. Brady Anderson Jersey