BRONX, NY – What started as a promising night for the Yankees quickly turned into a bitter defeat, as a late-inning collapse saw them squander a three-run lead and fall 4-3 to the San Diego Padres Monday night at Yankee Stadium.
New York held a 3-0 advantage heading into the eighth inning, but ongoing struggles in the bullpen once again proved costly. Reliever Devin Williams, called upon to protect the lead, faltered after issuing a two-out walk to load the bases. Manager Aaron Boone summoned Luke Weaver, who had been flawless all season — until now.
Weaver, entering the night with a spotless ERA, gave up a two-run double to Manny Machado, followed by a two-run single from Xander Bogaerts. In the blink of an eye, the Yankees went from comfortable control to trailing 4-3.
“Tough situation there with two good hitters,” Boone said after the game. “I actually thought he threw the ball well — his fastball had life — but they just put two really strong swings on him.”
The loss marked the fifth time this season New York has blown a lead in the eighth inning or later — the most in Major League Baseball.
The bullpen breakdown overshadowed a brilliant outing by Yankees starter Carlos Rodón. The lefty was in complete command, tossing 6.2 shutout innings while allowing just three hits and one walk, striking out five. Rodón entered the game boasting a 0.95 ERA over his previous three starts, and he continued to perform at an elite level.
“[He was] terrific,” Boone said. “His command was maybe the best it’s been. The slider and changeup worked really well. He didn’t make any mistakes.”
Rodón started strong, fanning a pair in the first inning and getting help from Cody Bellinger in left field, who made a sliding catch on a rain-slicked outfield to rob Luis Arraez of a hit. He also escaped trouble in the third, striking out Fernando Tatis Jr. for the second time to end the inning.
Offensively, the Yankees broke through in the third. Jorbit Vivas drew a leadoff walk and was brought home by Trent Grisham, who crushed Nick Pivetta’s 1-1 pitch deep into the second deck in right field for his ninth homer of the season, putting New York up 2-0.
Rain showers rolled through the Bronx later in the fourth, prompting a delay with two outs and runners on first and second. After a roughly 30-minute pause, play resumed, but the Yankees couldn’t capitalize.
Rodón remained sharp post-delay, retiring the next six batters he faced with back-to-back perfect innings. New York added to their lead in the sixth when Paul Goldschmidt led off with a single, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Anthony Volpe later brought him home with a sacrifice fly, extending the cushion to 3-0.
But that lead wouldn’t hold.
With the loss, the Yankees fell to 19-16 on the season and will look to bounce back Tuesday night. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt is slated to start for New York, facing off against former Yankee Michael King, now a member of the Padres.
For continued coverage of the Yankees, stay tuned to AMNY.com.
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