The Yankees were on the verge of an eighth straight win, leading 4-1 against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night as they headed into the top of the ninth inning. With Clay Holmes on the mound, fans were confident the victory was secured. However, things quickly unraveled when Holmes allowed four runs in just 0.2 innings, leading to a shocking 5-4 loss. This marked only Holmes’ second blown save of the season. Despite the setback, Holmes and his teammates remain optimistic about bouncing back in their next game, supported by a strong clubhouse and determined to return to their winning ways.
Holmes’ Struggle in the Ninth
Clay Holmes, who had been solid as the Yankees’ closer, faced an unexpected challenge. In just 0.2 innings, Holmes allowed four runs, resulting in his second blown save of the season. This was a rare occurrence for Holmes, who had been nearly flawless with 13 saves out of 15 opportunities and had not allowed an earned run prior to this game. Reflecting on his performance, Holmes expressed his frustration and took full responsibility for the loss.
“Yeah, that one’s on me,” Holmes admitted. “I feel like I made some good pitches, but definitely some balls found some holes. I was ahead on a couple of guys there, 0-2, 1-2, and put them on base which could’ve been big outs. It was one of those outings where I felt like my stuff was there, maybe trying to go for a little too much chase with a couple of guys there. Some balls found some holes and it didn’t go our way.”
Despite the setback, Holmes remained optimistic about his abilities and the support system within the team. He believed he had the potential to turn a double play in the ninth but couldn’t execute the crucial pitch at the right moment.
“My stuff I thought was good enough tonight, I just didn’t make the pitch when I needed to,” Holmes continued. “Some of the two-strike pitches were competitive, some weren’t, and I think if a few more were competitive and in the zone, tonight would have looked different.”
Support from Teammates and Coaches
The loss didn’t shake Holmes’ confidence in his capacity to bounce back, thanks in large part to the supportive environment in the Yankees’ clubhouse. Star player Aaron Judge stood by Holmes, emphasizing that such mishaps are part of the game, even for top-tier closers.
“Yeah, you feel it, anytime you lose and you blow a game,” Holmes acknowledged. “I have full confidence in myself and the people around me, Trevy (Jose Trevino), the pitching coaches. The process I have in place, I know where I’m at that I’ll be able to bounce back tomorrow and get the job done. Having the players and coaches around you helps you stay ready, and I think we’ll be ready to get one tomorrow.”
Manager Aaron Boone also weighed in, highlighting the unpredictability of baseball. He recognized Holmes’ effort and noted that the outcome was a mix of unfortunate bounces and effective at-bats by the Mariners.
“I mean sure, it’s baseball,” Boone commented. “I thought he threw the ball well again. It just didn’t really bounce our way that inning. He was on the attack, couple of swinging bunts on him, a bloop, and then they put some good at-bats there to finish off the big rally. It’s one of those things that happen every now and then.”
Boone added, “That’s baseball sometimes. Again, I thought he, throughout the inning, threw the ball well. Just didn’t really bounce our way in that inning. They were able to make contact and find some holes.”
Despite the disappointment, the Yankees remain hopeful and determined to bounce back in their next game. Holmes, supported by his teammates and coaching staff, is focused on improving and helping the team secure future victories. Stay tuned to Sports News International for more updates on the Yankees’ season. Share your thoughts and comments below. How do you think the team will respond in their next game?