New York Yankees: 3 Takeaways from Yankees most heartbreaking loss

Yesterday, New York Yankee fans experienced their worst heartbreak of the season. After a late-game win the day before, the Yankees were positioned to split the four-game series with the Boston Red Sox. But that was not to be had. Even with Domingo German pitching a no-hitter into the eighth inning, the Yankees fell apart as they have so many times this season. As a result, the Yankees lost the game 5-4.

Domingo German pitches a gem for naught

In an article previewing the New York Yankees Boston Red Sox series, I said of Sunday’s matchup that you never know what you’re going to get from German. “He could be lights out, or he could struggle mightily.” I had no idea that Domingo German would enter the eighth inning yesterday with his first no-hitter. German was just masterful. All of his pitches were working, and he mystified the Red Sox hitters by mixing them up, so they never knew what was coming.

Previous to last night, German had been a mixed bag, bombing to start the season, and being sent down. He returned a new pitcher with the Yankees winning six of his starts, but then he went south again, with the Yankees losing five of his next seven starts. But yesterday, he pitched the best game the Yankees have seen by any pitcher since Corey Kluber’s complete game no-hitter. Now the Yankees can only hope what German experienced yesterday will carry him through the rest of the season.

Yankees look like a baseball team, but woes continue

On Sunday, Yankee fans for a time experienced the Yankee team they had hoped to have this season. The Yankees played baseball instead of looking dead on their feet, as they have most of the season. Seldom have we seen the Yankees push bunt, steal bases, and even Gary Sanchez achieved the second triple of his career. All this was taking place while Domingo German was pitching the game of his life.

But without a minute’s notice, the Yankee fan’s excitement went crashing down. After pitching 20 more pitches than he had all season, German allowed a double, knocking him out of the game while previously not allowing a hit. The usually dependable Jonathan Loaisiga came in and gave up three runs. Zack Britton replaced him in the ninth inning; he allowed two sac flies scoring two more Boston runs for the late game win for the Red Sox. The Yankees and its fans went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in mere minutes. The Red Sox won three games of the four-game series and the Yankees, coming off the previous exciting win, dropped another game in the AL East.

Is Boone’s job on the line?

The New York Yankees are fast approaching the point of no return. Winning the AL East is now out of the question unless a miracle happens and the Red Sox and Rays completely collapse. No, the Yankees at this point are fighting to get a wild card spot. Presently they are four games out with the Rays, Athletics, and Mariners ahead of them.

Manager Aaron Boone is in the last year of his contract. He has brought the Yankees to the postseason in each season of his management, only to see them fail time and time again. Now he is managing an underachieving team that he has been unable to inspire to play good baseball. One has to wonder at this time whether owner Hal Steinbrenner may be reevaluating his previous support of his manager.

It would be explainable if this were a team of bad players, but it’s not. It’s a championship-quality team that is playing badly. Someone should be held accountable. When playing at Fenway, you see the stands packed with standing room only. Even with 100% capacity allowed, Yankee Stadium has yet to fill the 15,000 empty seats. Fans have lost faith in the Yankees and its manager, and it costs Hal money. Stay tuned.