Yankees Lose a Heartbreaker in Seattle
Okay, so last night in Seattle was…intense. A real nail-biter. The Yankees lost to the Mariners 2-1 in eleven innings, and honestly, it was a gut-wrenching way to end a game that had everything: amazing pitching, a seriously questionable umpire call, and a walk-off hit that just… stung.
A Pitching Duel for the Ages
Max Fried, while not quite at his peak, still gave the Yankees five solid innings, only giving up one run. It was his first loss of the season, snapping an eight-game winning streak – ouch! The Mariners’ starter, Bryan Woo, was just as good, if not better. He was absolutely masterful, at one point retiring fifteen batters in a row. Seriously, the guy was untouchable.
Fried’s command was a little off, making him work harder than usual. He wasn’t as sharp as in his previous starts, where his ERA was ridiculously low. Woo, on the other hand, was economical, efficient, and downright dominant. The kid’s got serious potential; you could see why he’s such a highly touted rookie.
The Yankees' offense? Let's just say they struggled. They only managed five hits against Woo and the Mariners' bullpen, and went a dismal 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Eleven runners left stranded… It felt like watching a slow-motion train wreck.
The Ninth Inning: Controversy and an Ejection
It was a tense 1-0 game until the ninth. A hit batter, a stolen base, and a throwing error by Mariners first baseman Dylan Moore – a truly bizarre sequence of events – allowed the Yankees to tie the game without even getting a hit! It was the first earned run Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz had allowed all season.
The tying run scored after Moore completely misplayed a ground ball, leading to a frantic throw home that sailed way wide. You know how sometimes things just spiral? That was one of those moments.
But the good vibes didn't last. Jasson DomĂnguez struck out on a pitch that looked, to most of us, well below the strike zone. This led to a heated argument with the umpire and, wouldn't you know it, Aaron Boone got ejected. Talk about adding fuel to the fire!
Boone's ejection just amplified the frustration. It was a missed opportunity, compounded by a questionable call. It was a tough scene to watch.
The Mariners' Walk-Off Win
Even with the Yankees’ bullpen pitching four scoreless innings, the Mariners broke through in the eleventh. Tim Hill, brought in to protect the tie, gave up back-to-back singles to Ben Williamson and J.P. Crawford, setting up Crawford’s walk-off single. Brutal.
Missed Chances and What Could Have Been
The Yankees had chances, no doubt about it. Plenty of them. But they couldn’t capitalize. That 0-for-14 performance with runners in scoring position? That's a stat that's going to haunt them for a while. Cody Bellinger did extend his hitting streak to nine games, but that was about the only bright spot offensively.
A Tough Loss, But the Series Continues
This loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the Yankees. Great pitching from Fried and the bullpen, but the offense’s inability to deliver, combined with that questionable call in the ninth, proved too much to overcome. The Mariners showed their resilience, seizing their chance and getting a huge win. The series continues Wednesday – a crucial rubber match. The Yankees will need to put this one behind them and bounce back.
