BREAKING: In a stunning collapse, the New York Yankees allowed the Detroit Tigers to score a staggering nine runs in the seventh inning, leading to a crushing 12-2 defeat at Yankee Stadium on September 19, 2023. This dramatic turn of events has major implications for the Yankees’ playoff aspirations, as they now trail the Toronto Blue Jays by three games in the American League East.
For six innings, the Yankees and Tigers engaged in a tightly contested matchup, but everything changed in the seventh. Right-handed relievers Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. faced a combined nine batters without recording a single out, marking a historic low as the first pair of major league teammates to achieve this dubious feat since 2003, according to ESPN Research.
“This is a sport that, as you see, it’s not as easy as it looks,” Cruz stated. “Sometimes you’re on top of the horse. Sometimes you get out of it so you learn how to get on top again.” His remarks highlight the emotional toll this game took on the team.
The Yankees’ bullpen has struggled significantly, posting a 5.05 ERA since August 1, ranking them 27th in the majors. Only the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, and Miami Marlins have a worse ERA among teams not in playoff contention.
During the catastrophic seventh inning, the Tigers capitalized on five hits, five walks, and a hit by pitch. Cruz threw an alarming 13 of his 20 pitches for balls, while Leiter followed with nine of his 16 pitches out of the strike zone. A wild pitch from Leiter allowed another run to score, compounding the Yankees’ woes.
The loss not only affects their standings but also reflects a team in distress. Yankees starter Will Warren had previously held the Tigers to just two runs over six innings, but the bullpen’s implosion overshadowed his solid performance. Warren’s ERA swelled from 2.66 to 3.76 after this outing.
“Tonight’s a tough night, but it doesn’t change a lot of the good things that have happened in some of these games we’ve been able to close out,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone remarked, underscoring the need for improvement as the postseason looms.
The Yankees now face an uphill battle with just 18 games remaining in the season. As the Tigers improve to 83-62, they remain in contention for the top seed in the American League, just half a game behind the Blue Jays.
Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how the Yankees respond in their next game, as they must rally to regain their footing in a fiercely competitive division. The pressure is on for the Yankees to regroup and salvage their playoff hopes starting tomorrow.