In late September of 2000, the New York Yankees found themselves in a weird spot. They still led the AL East, but their season had started to feel uneven and, honestly, a bit shaky.
On September 23, with their magic number at just two, they went up against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. You’d expect a comfortable win, at least on paper.
Instead, the night unraveled into a mess of missed chances, sharp starting pitching, and a bullpen meltdown that made everyone wonder about the team’s readiness for October.
Missed Chances Make the Difference
The Yankees got plenty of shots to score off Albie Lopez, who wasn’t exactly having a great year himself. Still, New York’s bats just couldn’t cash in when it mattered.
In the first inning, Chuck Knoblauch got thrown out at the plate. That rally fizzled before it even got going.
Strikeouts in Key Moments
The pattern didn’t change in the fifth. Derek Jeter and Knoblauch both struck out in a spot that screamed for someone to come through.
By the sixth, the Yankees loaded the bases. Then Scott Brosius watched strike three zip by—another gut punch and a reminder of how thin the margin can be.
Even in the eighth, they put runners on. David Justice then lined into a double play at the plate, which pretty much killed their last real shot.
El Duque’s Gem Overshadowed
Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, meanwhile, pitched his heart out. He gave up just two hits and a single run over eight innings, mixing deception and precision like only he could.
Gerald Williams took him deep for a solo homer, but otherwise, El Duque kept Tampa Bay quiet and gave his team every chance to win.
Clutch Posada Equalizer
Finally, in the ninth, Jorge Posada sparked some hope with a leadoff homer off Roberto Hernández. That tied it up at 1–1.
For a second, it felt like the Yankees might steal one. The buzz didn’t last.
Late-Inning Collapse
Mike Stanton, usually so reliable, just didn’t have it in the ninth. He walked the leadoff man, and Tampa Bay jumped right on the opening.
Fred McGriff delivered with a walk-off RBI single. Just like that, the Yankees’ rough night turned into a stinging loss, and the division-clinching party got put on hold.
What It Revealed About the Yankees
This game was just one of 162, but it left a mark. The loss exposed concerns about the Yankees’ pitching depth beyond their stars.
Even against a last-place team, those cracks can show. How would they hold up under October’s pressure?
Key Takeaways from the September 23 Loss
If you look at this game closely, it’s a classic example of how even the best teams can stumble if they don’t hit in the clutch or lock things down late. Here’s what stood out:
- Opportunities Squandered: The Yankees kept stranding runners in scoring position.
- Outstanding Start Wasted: Orlando Hernandez pitched brilliantly, but it went for nothing.
- Bullpen Breakdown: Mike Stanton’s rough outing showed how much reliable relief matters.
- Psychological Impact: Losing to a weaker club can shake a team’s confidence at the wrong time.
Looking Ahead to the Postseason
The Yankees did go on to clinch the AL East and win the 2000 World Series. Still, games like this one against Tampa Bay made it clear they weren’t invincible.
For anyone paying close attention, this wasn’t just another late-season game. It was a little warning that even great teams can’t afford to ignore their flaws when the playoffs come around.
Legacy of the Game
Today, that loss feels like a snapshot of a dynasty weathering some turbulence. The Yankees in 2000 still set the gold standard for the sport.
But nights like this? They show that even the best teams can stumble. Sometimes, it’s the ugly games against the league’s worst that really tell you how ready a contender is.
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Here is the source article for this story: 2000 Yankees Diary, September 26: Walked off in Tampa as questions abound
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