The New York Yankees had a positive weekend as they snapped out of the series losing streak to win the first games of the Baltimore Orioles series. A series marred by a physical brawl reached its climax on Sunday during the finale, where the visitors missed a massive chance of securing a sweep.
The Yankees dominated the afternoon with a 5-3 lead heading into the ninth inning. However, shortstop Anthony Volpe and outfielder Alex Verdugo committed back-to-back routine errors, which led to an embarrassing loss. And a devastated Verdugo rightfully took the blame for the loss during the post-game interview.
Alex Verdugo Claims He Misjudged Fly Catch In Series Finale Vs Orioles
After winning the series against arch AL-East rivals Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees had the finale on Sunday under control and were headed for a dominating sweep. However, the tables turned drastically in the ninth inning as the Yanks let the game slip due to defensive errors. All-Star closer Clay Holmes was out on the mound to get his team through the finish line. However, his stuff was all over the place, with the Orioles loading all bases. With the pressure mounting, Anthony Volpe at shortstop fumbled a routine line drive, allowing the Orioles to score and reduce the lead to 5-4. Still, the Yanks were very much in the game with two outs.
Orioles Cedric Mullins launched a fly shot over left field where Alex Verdugo slipped on his first step and failed to get under the ball, thus allowing Mullins to score 2 walks off runs. Meanwhile, Verdugo was livid with himself as he got on his knees back in the clubhouse. Speaking to the reporters shortly after, Verdugo claimed responsibility for the error as well as the loss. He didn’t elaborate much on most questions but did reveal that he mistimed his first step, which led to a fall. “It’s the wrong first step, I mean, just leave it at that,” Verdugo said. On the other hand, Yankees manager Aaron Boone also criticised Verdugo, stating the play should have been made. The outfielder misjudged the fly ball big time, which led to a costly error. But overall, the series victory is a positive the Yankees will take back home from the road trip.
Anthony Volpe Gutted On Error In Yankees Sunday Loss
Before Alex Verdugo miscued the fly ball, Anthony Volpe allowed the Baltimore Orioles back in the game with an embarrassing fumble on a routine line drive at shortstop. The Orioles scored on Volpe’s fumble and reduced the lead to 4-5. That being said, Volpe also beat himself up for the error, saying he didn’t move his feet quite right.
Anthony Volpe added that good defensive fielders move their feet, and he clearly needs to learn and do better. “It’s a play I know I’ve got to make, and anything after that doesn’t matter,” Volpe, who was still processing the sudden turn of events in the ninth inning, said in the post-game interview. Regardless, the Yanks are back to winning ways after an abysmal stretch.
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