The New York Yankees blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning, ending their winning streak of seven games in a 5-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.
Despite another strong outing from their starting pitcher, the Yankees failed to finish the game. Marcus Stroman gave them seven-plus strong innings, and Luke Weaver finished out the eighth inning.
But Clay Holmes blew his first save of the season, allowing four runs in the top of the ninth.
Following the 5-4 loss at home, here are the takeaways from Monday's tough defeat:
Mariners defeat Yankees: Takeaways from New York's 5-4 loss
Clay Holmes blows first save
Holmes came into the ninth inning with a three-run lead. A combination of soft infield hits and a Gleyber Torres throwing error led to Holmes' first blown save of the season. It also led to him allowing his first runs of the season. Holmes entered this appearance having allowed zero runs in 20 innings pitched.
After a Dominic Canzone bases-loaded sac fly tied the game at four, Holmes gave up an RBI single to Ty France to give the Mariners a 5-4 lead. Holmes' final line was 0.2 innings pitched, four hits, four earned runs and two walks.
Another stellar start...wasted
The Yankees starting rotation has been on some kind of heater. Marcus Stroman tossed 7.1 innings of one-run ball. He allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out six. His only mistake was a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning.
Stroman generated 10 swings and misses and lowered his season ERA to 3.05. The Yankees starters have an 0.86 ERA over their last eight games, according to Katie Sharp. Unfortunately, it was wasted.
Big Dawgs come through early
The middle of the order continues to be the strength of the lineup, as it should be. Aaron Judge collected two hits and a walk coming off his AL Player of the Week nod while Alex Verdugo notched three hits and three RBI. Also, Juan Soto scored twice and got on base twice.
Soto got a base hit in the bottom of the ninth, but Judge struck out looking against Mariners closer Andres Munoz, and Verdugo grounded out to end the game.
