An outfield error involving Harrison Bader and Aaron Judge during the ALCS Game 3 proved costly for the Yankees. It not only gave the Astros a lead but also become a decisive factor in their 5-0 win over the Yankees.
In a pretty easy first inning, Yankees starter Gerrit Cole struck out all three batters. In the second inning, it looked like a quick 1-2-3. Instead, a misunderstanding between Harrison Bader in center field and Aaron Judge in the right field kept the inning going.
It looks like Judge did something wrong by getting in Bader’s way of seeing. Even from the way he was moving, it was clear that he knew he had made a mistake. He took the blame after the game.
The Astros took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning of Game 3 of the ALCS on Saturday afternoon. The Yankees helped them get there. Later, the Astros added on, and the Yankees never scored, so the Astros won 5-0 and are now up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.
“We were both going for it, both calling for it,” Judge said (via SNY Yankees), “And then at the last second I hear him and I’m trying to get out of the way, so I think I definitely messed him up on that play. I gotta take responsibility for that, he’s the center fielder, when he calls it I gotta drop and get out of the way.”
Christian Vazquez technically left the baseline when he thought Bader had caught the ball, but he didn’t go far and there was no play on him in the infield. It didn’t change anything about the play. You’ll never get that call if you’re on defense.
Giving a team with a strong offense like the Astros an extra out is never a good idea, and it backfired on the Yankees right away. Chas McCormick liked the well-known right-field porch at Yankee Stadium.
While the Yankees suffered a psychological blow, the Astros were up 2-0.
Even though the runs were unearned, Cole has now given up a home run in nine straight playoff games. That’s a record for MLB (via ESPN Stats and Info). In the end, Cole would give up five runs, three of which were earned. He gave up five hits while striking out seven batters and walking two. He left the game with the bases full in the sixth, and reliever Lou Trivino let all three of the runners he took over score. This made Cole’s total number of runs allowed five.
During the regular season, McCormick hit 14 home runs. Before this series, he had been up to bat 36 times in the playoffs, but he had never hit a home run. He has two in the ALCS already.
The Astros, on the other hand, have a huge lead and only need one more win to win their fourth AL pennant in the last six years.
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