The New York Yankees’ recent slide kept rolling with a crushing 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Houston Astros. That’s now six defeats in their last seven games.
This latest setback exposed the team’s ongoing bullpen woes. Manager Aaron Boone’s decision-making—especially his trust in struggling closer Devin Williams—faces some real heat.
Even after making big trade deadline moves to deepen the relief corps, the Yankees just couldn’t hold it together in crunch time. Now they’re slipping in the AL East standings, and honestly, it’s starting to feel like the wheels are wobbling.
Late-Inning Collapse Against Houston
The Yankees entered extras tied 2-2 after Luke Weaver handled the ninth. Boone then called on Williams for the 10th, despite his recent stumbles.
The decision backfired almost immediately. You could almost feel it coming.
Williams’ Tough 10th Inning
The Astros started with Jose Altuve on second. Williams gave up a leadoff RBI single to Carlos Correa.
He got two outs, but then hung an 82.1 mph changeup that Taylor Trammell crushed for a two-run homer. Williams struck out the final batter, but by then, the Yankees trailed 5-2 heading into their last at-bat.
Yankees’ Last Push Falls Short
New York tried to fight back in the bottom of the 10th. Anthony Volpe slapped an RBI single to trim it to 5-3.
But Astros closer Josh Hader shut the door. Williams’ outing just added to his growing list of rough performances this year.
Williams’ Struggles Reach Concerning Levels
The numbers aren’t pretty: Williams has now allowed 28 earned runs this season—more than he gave up from 2022 through 2024 combined. His ERA has ballooned to 5.73, and he’s blown three saves.
In his last five outings, he’s been tagged for eight runs in 4 2/3 innings. Every late inning he pitches feels like a tightrope for Yankees fans.
Managerial Decision-Making Under the Microscope
Boone’s call to stick with Williams stood out, especially after the Yankees’ recent bullpen upgrades. At the deadline, they added David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird.
Boone had doubled down on Williams as his closer before this series. Now, fans and analysts alike are questioning that loyalty.
Why Luke Weaver Didn’t Return
Some wondered if Weaver, who looked sharp in the ninth, might have stayed in for the 10th. Boone said a long at-bat that ended in a walk pushed Weaver’s pitch count to around 20, so he pulled him.
That left Williams with the ball in a high-pressure spot. The gamble didn’t pay off this time.
Impact on the Standings
This loss stung not just because of how it happened, but also because of what it means for the standings. The Yankees have now slipped to third place in the American League East and are:
- 7 games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays
- 3 games back of the Boston Red Sox for second place
- Barely hanging on to the final AL wild-card spot
With their postseason cushion shrinking, the Yankees need answers—fast, especially at the back of the bullpen. Boone’s faith in Williams is admirable, but if things don’t turn around, he’s going to face even more questions.
The Yankees have options with all those new late-inning arms. Whether Boone actually starts using them differently? That could shape the rest of this season.
Looking Ahead
The season’s winding down, and the Yankees are staring at a crossroads. Boone has a choice: does he trust Williams in those tense, late innings, or hand the ball to the fresh faces in the bullpen?
That call could shape not just their playoff hopes, but how fans and critics judge Boone’s instincts. The Bronx Bombers keep searching for that elusive consistency and clutch spark.
In this brutal divisional race, every error gets spotlighted. Every bullpen move feels like it could tip the whole season.
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Here is the source article for this story: Yankees take 6th loss in 7 games as Devin Williams gives up 10th-inning homer to Astros’ Taylor Trammell
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