ARLINGTON, Texas — Holmes Clay will not be an automatic choice as the closer for New York Yankees baseball team shortly after giving up a game-tying grand slam for Texas Rangers with his 11th missed save of the season.
Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that the club will consider several options, including Holmes, while continuing to support the two-time All-Star after a difficult stretch.
Rookie Wyatt Langford‘s grand slam followed by a single of Carson Kelly and walk continuously to Josh Smith And Marcus Semienbrought a 7-4 victory to the Rangers on Tuesday night.
“Short term, we’re going to be a little creative with it,” Boone said ahead of the series finale against the Rangers. “I feel like he’s pitching really well in a lot of ways. Last night was definitely a little off and they got him. But the reality is he’s really not far from being the dominant guy that we know he can be.”
Langford committed a sliding foul to hold the ball before sliding the ball at 85.8 mph at 407 down the left-field line.
Holmes’ number of saves lost — including 40 — was the most since Dave Righetti had 13 in 1987, tying the Yankees record set by Goose Gossage in 1983.
Boone stayed with Holmes after the right-hander’s previous blown save on Aug. 18. Detroit in the Little League Classic. Holmes went five shutouts with three saves before losing to the Rangers.
“At this point in the season, with the race and the playoffs on the line, it’s about winning,” Holmes said. “I think everyone’s on the same page. Whatever it takes for us to go out and win. The roles and definitions at this point, they are what they are.”
The closer Boone’s decision comes as the Yankees are locked in a tight race with Baltimore for the best record in the American League and the AL East lead. The Orioles led by a half-game at the start of the day.
Right-handed person Cousin Jake had one save and a 2.73 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. Luke Weaveranother right-handed player, is second to Holmes in appearances with 54 and has completed seven games. Left-handed player Heart Hill had a 3-0 record with a 2.34 ERA in 27 saves but only 13 strikeouts in 34⅔ innings pitched.
Rookie Luis Gil And Clarke SchmidtBoth are derived from IL, which can be developed into closing options.
“Never say never,” Boone said. “The reality is that someone is probably going to come into the starting rotation at some point, and I’m not necessarily ruling anyone out.”
Holmes spent time in Boone’s office before the game.
“Just checking in and making sure, letting him know what I think about the short-term view of things,” Boone said. “But also just making sure he’s okay and seeing where he’s at. The thing about Clay is, he’s a solid guy and he’s got a good foundation. That’s why I think he’s handled this role so well, the inevitable ups and downs that come with it, the pressures that come with it.”
Holmes went 2-5 with a 3.27 ERA with 19 walks and 60 strikeouts in 55 innings. The 31-year-old with 73 career saves had trouble striking out hitters with two strikeouts.
“I think just with the noise around him lately and having some struggles, but again I think it’s important to differentiate last night from what I call the ball not bouncing his way in a lot of these games, where it wasn’t far at all,” Boone said. “Just losing a little bit of the strike zone last night, maybe not getting his sinker where he wanted to be last night, and just felt like this was the right thing to do today.”
