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The New York Yankees saw their blistering seven-game win streak come to an end Monday night, as their bullpen faltered in the first leg of their series at home versus the visiting Seattle Mariners. It looked as though New York was going to extend their undefeated run to eight games when they took a three-run lead into the ninth inning.
But the Yankees’ bullpen imploded, with Clay Holmes giving up four earned runs on four hits with two balls issued in just 2/3 of an inning on the mound. Holmes took the loss, as his letdown performance wasted what a brilliant start by Marcus Stroman, who worked for 7.1 innings and surrendered just an earned run on three hits with six strikeouts.
After the game, reporters asked Holmes for his thoughts on what happened in that harsh ninth inning.
“Yeah, it’s definitely, I think it’s just knowing the situation, knowing the batter, knowing your stuff, knowing where things are at. I think it’s all things you gotta take into account and make the best decision out there,” said Holmes, who had been virtually automatic on the mound this season until the Mariners got the better of him.
“And like I said, my stuff, I thought was good enough tonight. I just didn’t make the pitch when I needed to. And some of the two-strike pitches were competitive, some weren’t. And I think if a few more of those have been competitive, especially in the zone there, tonight could look different,” Holmes added.
"That one's on me"
Clay Holmes talks about tonight's outing, the first in which he's allowed an earned run all season: pic.twitter.com/LUhdheQOt0
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 21, 2024
Before the Mariners game, Holmes had pitched 20.0 innings in the 2024 season and during that span, he had allowed zero earned runs on 15 hits, while also posting a fantastic 28.8 percent strikeout rate to go with a 5.0 percent walk rate. Such a strong stretch implied that Holmes would eventually stumble with his pitching, and that finally happened in the series opener against the Mariners.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was understandably frustrated by the loss, but he was not critical of Holmes’ performance.
“I mean, sure, but, you know, it’s baseball. I thought he threw the ball well again. You know, I mean, just didn’t really bounce our way that inning. You know, he was on the attack, you know, a couple swinging buns on him, bloop, and then, you know, and then they put together some good at-bats there to finish off, obviously a big rally. It’s one of those things that happens every now and then. ”
"Just didn't really bounce our way that inning."
– Aaron Boone on the ninth inning pic.twitter.com/pa6OLnykNh
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 21, 2024
The Yankees, who are still leading the American League East division with a 33-15 record, will look to get back on track and tie the series up versus Seattle this coming Tuesday night.
Fans react to Clay Holmes’ ugly night in Yankees loss to Mariners
Here are some of the reactions from fans online to Holmes’ performance:
“The dinks and dunks are gonna happen, but can’t have the walks after being ahead in the count. Pitch selection was definitely unusual. Too many sliders way off the plate.”
“Better be apologizing to Stroman.”
“He was definitely the best in the world with the White Sox in town”
“It is what it is, he still has a fantastic ERA and plenty of saves. Even guys like Rivera and Hoffman blew saves now and then. He’s gonna be just fine, and he’s still an all star closer.”
“It was on the Offense for not breaking the game open leaving runners stranded in scoring position. Gleyber making a error in huge moment.”
“It happens. Get ready for the next one and don’t let this get to the head.”
More must-reads:
- Tigers to promote outfielder with stellar batting eye
- Giants ace Blake Snell's season just went from bad to worse on Sunday
- The 'MLB stolen base leaders' quiz
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