Aaron Boone made a bold decision by calling on closer Clay Holmes for a five-out save in a crucial game against the Orioles. Holmes delivered, securing a dominant five-out save to finish off a 2-0 win for the Yankees. Boone expressed confidence in Holmes’ ability to get the job done, despite the risk of extending him for multiple innings. After warming up at the start of the eighth inning, Holmes struck out the next two batters to prevent the Orioles from rallying. In the ninth inning, Holmes allowed an infield single but responded by getting a strikeout and two ground balls to earn his 10th save of the season without allowing an earned run over 15 innings.
Boone’s decision to use Holmes for a five-out save came after he refrained from doing so in a previous game due to the closer’s heavy workload. In a game against the Brewers, Holmes threw a scoreless ninth inning but was not called upon for the 10th inning to protect a one-run lead in extra innings. However, after suffering losses in the first two games of their series against the Orioles, Boone decided to trust Holmes with a longer outing. Holmes’ impressive performance in that game showcased his ability to handle pressure situations and highlighted the effectiveness of his pitches, particularly his slider and sinker, which helped him secure the crucial five-out save.
Holmes acknowledged the importance of his role in that game and expressed satisfaction with his ability to prevent the Orioles from scoring and hold onto the lead. He mentioned that he felt things were trending in a positive direction and credited his sharp pitching for his success in stopping the Orioles’ offensive threats. Boone praised Holmes’ performance, noting the right-hander’s superb start to the season and his exceptional control and command of his pitches during the game. Holmes’ ability to maintain his composure and execute his pitches effectively in pressure situations was instrumental in securing the victory for the Yankees.
The decision to ask Holmes for a five-out save instead of a traditional one-inning save demonstrated Boone’s faith in the closer’s abilities and willingness to take calculated risks to secure important victories for the team. Holmes’ consistent performance throughout the season and his ability to maintain his effectiveness even when extended for multiple innings were key factors in Boone’s decision to use him in that crucial situation. The dominant five-out save by Holmes not only solidified his status as the team’s reliable closer but also showcased his resilience and capability to handle high-pressure situations effectively. Overall, the game highlighted the importance of strategic decision-making and player performance in determining the outcome of critical matchups in baseball.
