Don't go to sleep thinking that the Yankees have this, but really, they sort of don't. After an amazing offensive effort that gave the Yankees an 8-2 lead into the mid innings, it became a nail biter into the 9th. The bullpen who earlier was showing signs of promise, almost blew it, leaving the Yankees hanging on for dear life.
Aaron Boone in is spin-doctor like fashion shrugged it all off with his statement after the game, "It doesn’t always go according to plan,’’ Boone said. “But shaking hands [after a win] sure solves a lot,” reported the Post. Leaving in pitchers too long or not long enough almost bit Boone in the ass. And with Jonathan Loáisiga out for the season with UCL surgery awaiting, the Yankees have to figure this out. You can't blow a 7-run lead. You can't if you want to win a championship.
"Loaisiga was slated to replace Michael King, who was traded over the offseason, as the Yankees' primary multi-inning bullpen option. He appeared in three of the Yankees' first seven games, logging four scoreless innings," reported ESPN.
Meanwhile in his and King's absence, the Yankees needed every one of those runs to hang in there. And it was a rare cold night where all the bats were working. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit diggers and Anthony Rizzo lit of the stadium outfield as well. But it was almost not enough and that's just not good enough. So, what's the plan for this bullpen? How can the Yankees recover and not put themselves into this position?
"In Loaisiga's absence, Boone figures to use Ian Hamilton most heavily to set up for closer Clay Holmes. Boone said that he believes Dennis Santana, who made his Yankees debut in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Blue Jays, will also play a significant role in the Bombers' bullpen," reports MLB.com.
It is important to note that "Victor Gonzalez, Ian Hamilton and Clay Holmes pitched the final 2.2 innings and after a scare in the ninth where they allowed three runs, New York was able to hang on for the 9-8 win," reported SNY.com.
The Yankees have an opportunity to win this year. Their start is the best in years. But if they can't hold a good lead, they will falter. So Matt Blake, get your guys together and huddle up. We can't have what happened last night happening consistently. Call it a blimp in the upward line graph if you will and I will for now. But get it together. Can't win if your pitching does not hold up.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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