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Devin Williams exited the Yankee Stadium mound on Friday night amid a chorus of loud boos raining down on him.
The New York Yankees reliever’s struggles persisted as he gave up three runs in the top of the 10th inning, including a two-run homer with two outs, in a 5-3 loss to the Houston Astros.
Williams was expected to be the Yankees’ definitive closer in 2025, but he has been unable to find any consistency in that role despite recording 17 saves this year. Since the All-Star break, Williams has struggled significantly, and each of the Yankees’ last three losses involved either a blown save or a loss attributed to Williams.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams reacts after leaving the game during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Speaking to reporters in the Yankees’ clubhouse after the defeat, which left them just half-a-game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the final wild-card spot in the American League, Williams was candid about his performance.
“I’m not executing pitches,” he said. “It’s pretty straightforward. I’m struggling right now.”
Williams has given up at least one run in five consecutive outings since the All-Star break. Prior to that, he had only allowed one home run despite his struggles. However, he has now surrendered four home runs in his last eight appearances.
During the team’s recent road trip to face the Texas Rangers, Williams allowed a game-tying home run to Joc Pederson in the bottom of the ninth inning. The veteran left-handed hitter, who had been struggling this season, hit just his second homer of the year, and the Yankees went on to lose that game in extra innings.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams delivers a pitch during the tenth inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
The following night, Williams was called upon again and gave up a go-ahead, two-run single to Rowdy Tellez in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Yankees fell 2-0.
Yankees fans have expressed dissatisfaction with Aaron Boone’s decision to use Williams in crucial situations this season, especially now that every game holds significance in the postseason race. The discontent was evident in the sold-out home crowd against the Astros, a team that has become a rival of the Yankees.
With the runner already on second base, Williams’ first pitch was an overthrow fastball that went to the backstop, allowing Jose Altuve to advance to third base immediately. Carlos Correa then hit a go-ahead single to give the Astros a 3-2 lead.
The final blow came when Williams allowed a two-run homer to Taylor Trammell on an 82 mph changeup that hung in the middle of the strike zone.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams reacts after giving up a two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
Reflecting on his struggles, Williams mentioned that he had not faced such difficulties since 2018, referring to his time in the minor leagues following Tommy John surgery. He emphasized the need to continue working hard and contribute to the team in any way possible.
When questioned about choosing Williams for the 10th inning, Boone explained that David Bednar was unavailable, and Mark Leiter Jr. was likely not an option either. With three right-handed hitters scheduled to bat, Boone believed that lefties Tim Hill and Brent Headrick were not the preferred choices.
Despite Leiter throwing just 12 pitches combined on Tuesday and Wednesday, he was not considered for the role.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams reacts after giving up a two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
“We’ll aim to find suitable opportunities for [Williams] to help him regain his crucial role in the bullpen, as he should,” Boone stated.
Williams, acquired in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason, allowed just 26 earned runs over 141 innings with his former team from 2022-24. However, he has now given up 28 runs over 44 innings with the Yankees and holds a 5.73 ERA for the season.
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A new study has found that eating chocolate may have some surprising health benefits. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, suggests that consuming moderate amounts of chocolate could be associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
Researchers analyzed data from over 300,000 participants and found that those who ate chocolate a few times a week were less likely to develop heart disease compared to those who rarely or never consumed chocolate. The study also found that chocolate eaters had lower levels of insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes.
However, it’s important to note that the type of chocolate matters. Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is believed to be the most beneficial, as it contains more antioxidants and less sugar than milk chocolate.
While these findings are promising, experts caution against overindulging in chocolate, as it is still high in calories and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. Moderation is key when it comes to reaping the potential health benefits of chocolate.
In conclusion, incorporating moderate amounts of dark chocolate into a balanced diet may have positive effects on heart health and overall well-being. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet.
