KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver who got the win at the end Thursday night, nearly perfect in the series from the bullpen in the Yankees' 3-1 ALDS win over the Royals in Game 4. completed a great performance. At this point, he's probably as good as anyone left in the postseason.
“We’ve always had confidence in ourselves,” Holmes said of Penn. “I took a little break. [at the end of the regular season] And it brought us good things. We are all united now and must stay that way. ”
Throughout the series, the Yankees' relievers pitched a combined 15/3 innings without an earned run, and Weaver seemed to solidify his role as the closer.
“We always believed we were good enough,” Holmes said of Penn. “There were ups and downs, but I'm glad the players did their best when we needed them the most.”
After Holmes hit Michael Massie and Bobby Witt Jr. to end the bottom of the eighth inning, Weaver came on and retired Vinny Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, and Yuli Gurriel, sending the Yankees to the ALCS. contributed to.
“We've been fighting all year to get better and it's been a tough road for me to get here,” Weaver said. “I can't believe you got the final out.”
Weaver and Holmes are experiencing similar career downturns this season.
But each emerged as a late-game weapon for Aaron Boone.
“We're very well prepared over there right now,” Boone said. “We have so many guys throwing well that it gives us a lot of options, which is important at this time of year.”
While Weaver continues to get the last outs, Holmes continues to be a stopper in October, extending his playoff scoreless streak to 13 innings in 10 appearances.
Although he lost his closer role early in the season, he became one of the most important parts of the Yankees' postseason pen.
“Things haven't gone perfectly, but I can accept that,” Holmes said before the game. “I may not be perfect, and I may have my limitations, but I still know what kind of pitcher I can be.”
And there's reason to think the right-hander pitched this well in October.
Stressful situations cause Holmes to think less and only make suggestions.
“[The playoffs] Allow yourself to take it one out at a time and treat every out as the most important out in the game,” Holmes said. “It simplifies things, so you don't have to think about this lane or this batter in your head, because this out could be the most important out of the game. You just have to get every batter out. You never know in these games. For me, that mindset helps me simplify things and get the most out of my stuff from the get-go. It will push you to attack.”
Perhaps that explains some of Holmes' struggles this season, but the Yankees continue to talk about a specific “right-handed pitcher lane” that Holmes is suited for.
And there's no denying that he's improved since being plucked from the closer role. During the regular season, Holmes made 45 saves in 42 innings, posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.548 WHIP. In addition to his 22 saves, Holmes pitched 21 innings with a 1.71 ERA and 0.810 WHIP.
“I can still get outs and I can still be a really good pitcher,” Holmes said. “I want to be a part of it, in whatever role, because I know the team here and what we're capable of. I want to help. It's helped me get back on my feet. I had good teammates who supported me and believed that I would bounce back.”
