In a tense showdown at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the San Diego Padres on Monday night, May 5, 2025. The game was marred by rain delays and a dramatic bullpen collapse, raising further questions about the Yankees' pitching staff and their ability to hold leads.
The Yankees initially jumped out to a promising start, leading 3-0 thanks to a home run by Trent Grisham in the third inning and a sacrifice fly from Anthony Volpe in the sixth. Starting pitcher Carlos Rodón delivered an impressive performance, allowing just three hits and a walk over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. However, his efforts were ultimately overshadowed by the bullpen’s inability to close out the game.
Manager Aaron Boone made a surprising decision to bring in Devin Williams in the eighth inning, despite the Yankees holding a comfortable lead. Williams, who has struggled significantly this season, entered the game but quickly found himself in trouble. He struck out Martin Maldonado but then walked Tyler Wade and allowed a single to Brandon Lockridge, loading the bases.
Fernando Tatis Jr. was then ejected for arguing with the home plate umpire, adding to the drama on the field. Williams, however, could not capitalize on the situation and proceeded to walk Luis Arraez on four pitches, further complicating the Yankees' predicament.
With the bases loaded, Boone turned to Luke Weaver to try and mitigate the damage. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Weaver faltered, giving up a two-run double to Manny Machado and a two-run single to Xander Bogaerts, turning a 3-0 lead into a 4-3 deficit in a matter of moments. Williams was charged with three earned runs on just one hit and two walks, pushing his ERA to a staggering 10.03 in 14 appearances this season.
After the game, Williams expressed his frustration, attributing his poor performance to the challenging conditions and his struggles to find his footing on the mound. "Both walks were obviously not what you're trying to do, but I was kind of battling myself there with the landing spot," he explained. "Tough to control the fastball today." Despite his struggles, Williams remains optimistic about his abilities, stating, "I feel good, I feel confident on the mound. I felt like I was in a good spot. It's one of those nights where you're not only battling the hitter, I was battling the mound. But we're all given the same set of circumstances and I couldn't pull through tonight."
Boone defended Williams, insisting that the right-hander has the talent to turn things around. "Stuff's there. Stuff's fine and I do believe he'll get on a roll and be lights out and dominant. But the command part of it, where the walks or getting behind in certain situations, have hurt him a little bit," Boone said.
The loss marks yet another disappointing chapter in a season that has seen the Yankees struggle to maintain leads and close out games. With a record of 19-16, the Yankees have now dropped five of their last nine games, raising alarms among fans and analysts alike. The team’s record in games decided by two runs or fewer has been particularly troubling, as they continue to pile up narrow losses.
In the aftermath of the game, Carlos Rodón, who had a stellar outing, voiced his support for Williams, recalling his own struggles during his first season with the Yankees. "I've been through it. I know what that feels like. It's not easy. But we acquired him for a reason. He's such a great pitcher. Just needs to build that confidence and he needs to know what kind of pitcher he is. He's so good. He's tremendous. We got him for a reason and it's an unbelievable changeup. Just go out there and pitch with some swagger," Rodón said.
As the Yankees look ahead, they will need to address their bullpen issues and find a way to support their starters more effectively. The upcoming games will be crucial, as the team seeks to regain momentum and confidence in their pitching staff. With the season still in its early stages, there’s time for the Yankees to turn things around, but they must do so quickly to avoid falling further behind in the competitive AL East.
The situation remains fluid as the Yankees continue to navigate through their challenges, and fans are left hoping for a turnaround in the near future. The team’s resilience will be tested as they prepare for their next match, needing to rally together to overcome the recent struggles.
