Jake Cousins notched his first career save during the Yankees’ 4-1 win over the White Sox, with the element of surprise potentially playing a pivotal role in his success. He was called upon late in the game, a move that may have spared him from the pre-game jitters typically associated with such high-pressure moments.
Cousins, acquired by the Yankees from the White Sox on March 31 in a cash deal, has quickly proven his value in the bullpen, particularly with his knack for generating swings and misses. This ability was on full display during Tuesday night’s game, as he was called upon after Tommy Kahnle found himself in trouble at the start of the ninth inning, allowing runners to advance to second and third base.
Cousins, a native of Illinois, expressed gratitude for the approach taken by bullpen coach Mike Harkey. Notably, the bullpen phone remained silent before he was told to warm up, indicating that Harkey, likely aware of the plan, chose not to alert Cousins too early. This tactic prevented him from overthinking the situation, allowing him to focus on the task at hand with natural adrenaline.
The save was especially meaningful for Cousins, who was pitching in front of family and friends at Guaranteed Rate Field, just a short drive from his hometown of St. Charles, Illinois.
Jake Cousins exploits Yankees’ opportunity
Cousins’ ability to capitalize on this unexpected opportunity underscores the unpredictable nature of baseball and the necessity for relief pitchers to stay ready for any scenario. His successful execution in a high-stakes moment reflects both his poise and the strategic decision-making of the Yankees‘ coaching staff.
The chance arose for him after closer Clay Holmes was unavailable due to having thrown 45 pitches on Sunday. Additionally, Tommy Kahnle ran into trouble in the ninth inning while attempting a four-out save, prompting manager Aaron Boone to turn to Cousins to seal the victory.
Jake Cousins expressed his excitement at notching his first career save in a place that felt like home, surrounded by family in the stands. The milestone was made all the more memorable by achieving it in front of his loved ones, adding a personal touch to an already significant moment.
“I think [bullpen coach Mike Harkey] — he knows what he’s doing down there,” Cousins said. “Because the phone didn’t ring before he told me to get going. I’m pretty sure they told him ahead of time and he just knew first save, don’t let him sit with it. I appreciate that, because the adrenaline was definitely going. It was a ton of fun. Having a ton of family this [week], getting the first save here, like at home, in front of my family, is really special.”
As the pressure mounted, bullpen coach Mike Harkey signaled for Cousins to start warming up. Minutes later, he took the mound in a high-pressure situation. He stayed composed, striking out Korey Lee for the first out. Though he walked Miguel Vargas on four pitches, loading the bases, Cousins remained unshaken. He then induced a flyout and recorded another strikeout to close out the game and secure the save.
Manager Aaron Boone praised Cousins for his performance in a clutch situation, noting how the pitcher stuck to his strengths and relied on his usual approach. Boone singled out Cousins’ slider as particularly effective, continuing to be a key pitch in generating swings and misses against opposing hitters.
“Just a good job, being in that situation, not deviating from who he is and what he’s so good at,” he said. “Generated a lot of swing-and-miss with that slider again.”
This outing not only clinched a victory for the Yankees but also highlighted Cousins as a dependable option in high-pressure scenarios for the team’s bullpen.
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