Saturday’s 6-5 loss was a stunning blow to the Yankees, who are now a game away from playoff elimination. The game would have been different had manager Aaron Boone given a chance to closer Clay Holmes in the ninth inning.
After losing Game 3 of the American League Division Series to Cleveland 6-5 on Saturday night at Progressive Field, the New York Yankees must win Game 4 against the Guardians on Sunday or go home.
In Saturday’s game, the Yankees had a 5-3 lead going into the ninth inning and were on track to win. In the ninth, Boone opted for Wandy Peralta and Clarke Schmidt as relievers instead of Clay Holmes, their usual closer. However, his bullpen choice failed and the Guardians scored three runs off to script a comeback win. Later, Luis Severino also blamed Boone for not picking Clay Holmes to close the game.
After the loss, fans criticized Yankees manager Aaron Boone for not using Clay Holmes to close out the game. Instead, he used a combination of Peralta and Schmidt. They blasted him for the selection of the wrong closer and handing over the game to the Guardians.
Lou Trivino and Jonathan Loáisiga also filled in for Luis Severino when he was out of the game. But closer Clay Holmes did not get a chance.
Boone told reporters after the game that Clay Holmes was there to pitch only if there was an “emergency.” He made it clear that Holmes should be rested for Game 4 on Sunday and he wouldn’t have risked him by putting on back-to-back nights.
Holmes, on the other hand, told reporters that he was shocked to know Boone didn’t give him the ball in the ninth inning and that he was ready to throw if required.
Clay Holmes has been New York’s closer for most of the season. He was out of the lineup for the last nine games of the regular season because of a shoulder strain. The Yankees will need him on Sunday because Game 4 is a do-or-die situation for them.
Since 2019, the Yankees haven’t made it past the ALDS.
Do you also blame Aaron Boone for not opting for Clay Holmes as pitcher?
