“Painful”; “A Clay Holmes special” - Yankees fans in distress as bullpen squanders lead while Guardians walk it off in Game 3
The New York Yankees had the edge over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the ALCS on Thursday. At the top of the ninth inning, the Yankees had a two-run lead against the Guardians with a 5-3 score. However, they were forced to enter extra innings after the bullpen blew their lead.
It looked like the Yanks had Game 3 easily, but Jhonkensy Noel cranked a two-run blast against Luke Weaver to tie the game. The Bronx Bombers were unable to score in the top of the 10th as Clay Holmes came in to pitch. David Fry stepped in for the Guardians and smashed a two-run home run against Holmes.
The Guardians won the game with a 7-5 final score in walk-off fashion. It was an intense game and an incredible comeback in Cleveland as they cut the Yankees' series lead to 2-1.
Yankees fans were left upset with their bullpen as they took to social media to vent their frustration.
Here's a look at some reactions from fans on X/Twitter:
"Painful," wrote one fan in disappointment.
"Ah yes a Clay Holmes special," wrote one fan.
"He may have been good since he came off the closer role, but this guy just can’t stop giving up the HRs at the end," one fan chimed in.
Comments continued to flow as fans blamed Holmes and the bullpen. Some fans even blamed manager Aaron Boone for his decision to send Holmes on the mound:
"That loss is entirely on Boone. You could see that Weaver’s arm was shot right from the start. He was out there just doing his best but he had no control on his pitches. Many were way off. He was burnt out from overuse. The second the Guardians send out Noel, you get the bullpen going. Head to the mound to stall, then make the change," wrote one fan.
"Boone blew this game…. Left Weaver in too long," another fan added.
"Up 5-3 two outs no one on. I literally want to vomit," one fan added.
Luis Gil to start for the Yankees in Game 4
Boone will turn in Luis Gil to the mound as their starter in Game 4. Gil will make his first postseason appearance for the team as they continue their series in Cleveland. The Guardians will send Gavin Williams as their starter as they look to even the series.
The Yankees are now forced to play a Game 5 at Progressive Field but will first look to get back to winning ways in Game 4 on Friday.