At season’s start the Yankees’ bullpen was everything as advertised. Now it seems to be The Call of Death.
On Tuesday night Luis Severino pitched a great game (giving up one run), but the lack of run support for young pitchers seemed to be an issue yet again for New York. The Yankees trailed the White Sox, 1-0, at the end of the 7th.
Then Yankees’ bats came to life as the Baby Bombers showed how impressive they can be. Tyler Wade got on base. Aaron Judge (All Rise, please!) sent a solid shot back up the middle and Gary Sanchez sent a drive into right center field. Three runs crossed the plate and New York took the lead, 3-1.
Game momentum captured, the White Sox seemed to be out of this game. A least that’s what Yankees’ fans thought.
Then disaster struck. A game that was looking like a great train robbery turned into The Abbot and Costello comedy show.
Tu night German couldn’t get an out. (photo, Elite Sports NY)
Domingo German couldn’t get anybody out. Two walks and then the unconfident, veteran arm of Tyler Clippard was called upon. He proceeded to walk the bases full and then walk in a run.
Give him credit, though. Clippard worked his way out of a bases-juiced jam with a slow-moving circle change that looked like it was from the movie, “Major Leagues: Back to The Minors.”
Getting out of the inning was a huge break. The Yankees were still up, 3-2. Then, disaster happened … again.
At season’s start the Yankees’ bullpen was everything as advertised. But now the bullpen seems to be The Call of Death.
Girardi called in Dellin, but Betances seemed to forget how to pitch. He couldn’t find the plate before he finally did, but it was too late by then: two runs scored in the bottom of the 9th.
Tuesday night you could feel the tension mount as Giaradi picked up the phone to call the bullpen.
The loss left a young Yankees team reeling, trying to find answers after a long road trip full of losing. But these Yankees need to remember the team is in rebuilding mode.
I think we all got a little bit too excited with the amazing hot start, but this team is far from polished. What they are–for sure–is much better than last year.
We’ll see what changes come before the trade deadline. Target — improve the starting rotation and bullpen.
