The New York Yankees‘ ongoing late-inning struggles were front and center again Friday night, as the team suffered another gut-wrenching loss in extra innings to the Houston Astros.
This time, it was Devin Williams who bore the brunt of the blame after failing to keep the game tied. The Yankees, who had been in a tight contest for most of the night, saw their hopes dashed in the 10th inning, and fans wasted no time expressing their frustration online.
For the first nine innings, the game had been a pitcher’s duel. Yankees starter Cam Schlittler delivered five solid innings, while the bullpen kept the game tied at 2-2, setting up the dramatic extra-inning finish.
The Yankees had even gained a slight edge in momentum after Aaron Judge tied the game with a crucial RBI single in the sixth. But when the 10th inning rolled around, the situation took a turn for the worse.
Devin Williams, tasked with preserving the tie, quickly faltered. A wild pitch to start the inning moved the runner to third base, and Carlos Correa made the Yankees pay with a sharp RBI single.
Moments later, Taylor Trammell crushed a two-run homer, turning a manageable 3-2 deficit into a 5-2 hole. Despite a late rally, the Yankees couldn’t recover, and the game ended 5-3.
Fans react to Williams’ performance
As the final out was recorded, Yankees fans took to social media to voice their anger, with many questioning Williams’ performance and even suggesting wild theories. One fan humorously suggested, “He needs to shave his beard… then his pitching powers will return!” Others, however, were less forgiving, with one comment reading, “Check to see if this guy is illegally sports betting.”
Another fan went as far as calling for his release, saying, “DFA HIM.” The anger was palpable, with some fans pointing to the weight of the Yankees’ pinstripes, with one user stating, “Pinstripes are too heavy for some people, and many have failed to live up to what it takes.”
While the reactions were extreme, they reflected the deep frustration surrounding Williams’ struggles. His inability to close out games has been a major issue for the Yankees, who continue to struggle in tight contests.
Boone explains the decision
Following the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed the decision to bring in Williams, acknowledging that the bullpen was short-handed. “We’re kind of short down there at that point,” Boone said. “You’re trying to get back in it, and staying away from (David) Bednar today, you’re down to lefties, and then it’s that little right lane there for Devin. So, didn’t work out tonight.”
Williams himself was quick to take responsibility for his performance, admitting his struggles. “I’m not making pitches. It’s pretty simple. I stink right now,” Williams said. “It’s come down to essentially one mistake and making me pay for it.”
As the Yankees continue their series against the Astros, Williams will need to regain his form if he’s to prove himself as a reliable option in the bullpen once more. With the team’s playoff hopes on the line, all eyes will be on him to see if he can bounce back and deliver when his team needs him the most.
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