BY PAOLA SACERDOTE
The Detroit Tigers exposed the New York Yankees’ weak bullpen in their opening first series game on September 9, the Yankees losing 12-2.
With the Toronto Blue Jays leading the American League East Division, the New York Yankees stand vulnerable in the wildcard, a decline from last year’s leading position.
In the sum up of the regular season before the playoffs, the Yankees stand 80-64 against the Tigers 83-62.
The Tuesday game began with Yankees left fielder Aaron Judge blasting a home run in the bottom of the first inning, then center fielder Cody Bellinger following Judge with another home run in the second inning.
After two scoreless innings Yankees opening pitcher Will Warren allowed two runs in the 5th inning, Tigers tying the game.
Even with a tie game the crowd cheered in the hopes for the Yankees to win, this before the beginning of the seventh inning blow-out. “I was pretty sure the Yankees was going win today, but like always the bullpen ruined it,” said a Yankee fan, Steven Morales.
The top of the 7th inning began with Yankees pitcher Fernando Cruz relieving starting pitcher Will Warren, the beginning of the blow-out. Fernando Cruz allowed four walks, one hit-by-pitch, lead off double, two RBI singles, two run triple, and one hit-by-pitch, leading the Tigers 7-2.
Cruz couldn’t finish the inning as Yankees manager Aaron Boone relieved him, bringing in Mark Leiter Jr.
The crowd was not happy, they yelled “BOOO” as Mark Leiter Jr. ran up to the mount. Within the same inning Leiter Jr. allowed a hit-by-pitch, a walk and a wild pitch, 4 more runs for the Tigers, a score of 10-2.
As the Tigers increased their lead the crowd chanted “TAKE HIM OUT” multiple times as Leiter Jr. kept pitching.
“Today’s game has been the highlight of the Yankees this year, and yeah they are not making it this year,” said a Yankee fan, Luis Espinal.
The dreadful inning didn’t finish as Aaron Boone relieved Mark Leiter jr. and brought in pitcher Tim Hill who ended the 7th inning with no runs allowed.
The 8th inning was a scoreless inning for the Yankees, then right after the crowd began to leave with no hopes that the Yankees would catch up.
With the pressure of the playoffs around the corner, the Tigers have a five percentage higher chance of making it to the World Series then the Yankees according to ESPN.