A spark, a plea, anything to get the New York Yankees to score some runs! Manager Aaron Boone took that to heart, as he stormed out of the dugout to argue strikes thrown to Aaron Judge. Boone’s tirade ended in an ejection but showing some anger and fire was needed for a team that scored just two runs over the final two games against the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week.
However, on Friday evening, the offense sputtered once again, scoring just two runs over six hits, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The Marlins only posted three hits, but thanks to one three-run homer, Miami walked away with a victory in a game that should have been won handily by the Yanks.
FINAL SCORE: 4-3
Good news and bad news for the New York Yankees:
GOOD NEWS:
The offense struggled to pick up the pace for the third consecutive game on Friday, waiting until the final moments to tie the game. However, three Yankee batters recorded two hits, including Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luke Voit. Unfortunately, fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton struck out three times over three at-bats. Stanton has been disappointing since returning from his hamstring injury and gaining some momentum before the postseason is essential.
As for their pitching, J.A. Happ had a strong outing despite a three-run homer he allowed in the first inning. Happ limited the Marlins to just three hits, proving that he, in fact, will probably be the Yankees’ third starter in the rotation for the postseason. He finishes his regular season with 3.47 ERA.
Fortunately, the bullpen had a strong outing, and considering their struggles, positive momentum heading into the playoffs is a necessity.
BAD NEWS:
The umpiring during the loss to Miami was awful in every sense. Aside from wayward strikes being called resulting in Boone’s ejection, they also interfered with a throw to second base on a stolen base attempt in the eighth inning. Mike Tauchman stole second base to get one step closer to tying the game but was sent back to first due to the interference.
Terrible break for the Yankees as plate umpire John Tumpane called back Tauchman's SB
Rule 5.06(c)(2) says dead ball if "The plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play; runners may not advance."
— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) September 26, 2020
Rule 5.06(c)(2) says dead ball if “The plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play; runners may not advance.”
Despite the umpire’s lack of efficiency, the Yankees still managed to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth, thanks to an Aaron Judge single, driving in Tauchman. Nonetheless, with the bases loaded in the tenth inning, DJ LeMahieu hit into a double play and ended the game. The Yankees have now gifted playoff berths for the Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins.