Yankees move closer by committee after Clay Holmes’ recent blown save

By Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas — Clay Holmes won’t be the New York Yankees’ automatic closer in the short term after allowing the Texas Rangers to complete a grand slam and recording his 11th shutout, his most in the MLB this season.

Coach Aaron Boone said Wednesday the club will consider several options, including Holmes, while continuing to support the two-time All-Star after a poor performance.

A grand slam by rookie Wyatt Langford, followed by a single by Carson Kelly and consecutive walks by Josh Smith and Marcus Semien, gave the Rangers a 7-4 victory on Tuesday night.

“In the short term, we’re just going to be a little creative,” Boone said before the series finale against the Rangers. “I think he’s throwing the ball really well in a lot of ways. Last night was definitely a little off and they got to him. But the truth is, he’s not that far off from being the dominant guy we know he can be.”

Langford committed an error on a full-thrown slider to stay in the game, then launched an 85.8 mph and 407 mph slider down the left-field line.

Holmes’ save total — which came in 40 opportunities — is the most by a Yankees player since Dave Righetti had 13 in 1987, tying the team record set by Goose Gossage in 1983.

Boone stuck with Holmes after the right-hander’s previous blown save on Aug. 18 against Detroit in Major League Baseball’s Little League Classic. Holmes had five scoreless outings with three saves before the loss to the Rangers.

“At this point in the season, with the race and the playoffs, it’s about winning,” Holmes said. “I think everybody’s on the same page. Whatever it takes for us to go out and win. The roles and the definitions at this point are what they are.”

Boone’s decision, made by the committee, came as the Yankees were locked in a tight race with Baltimore for the top record in the American League and the lead in the AL East. The Orioles had a half-game lead at the start of the day.

Right-hander Jake Cousins ​​has a save and a 2.73 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 30 innings. Luke Weaver, another right-hander, is second to Holmes in appearances with 54 and has completed seven games.

Left-hander Tim Hill is 3-0 with a 2.34 ERA in 27 appearances as a reliever, but has just 13 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. Tommy Kahnle, a 35-year-old right-hander, has a career-best 2.00 ERA in 42 appearances.

“Trust a lot of guys,” Boone said. “If that fits, that’s how we’re going to play. And that’s how we’re going to play every night. I feel like there’s a lot of guys there who are good, efficient throwers.”

Rookie Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt, both returning from the injured list, could be developed into closer options.

“Never say never,” Boone said. “The truth is, it’s likely someone will go to the pen at some point from the starting rotation, and I wouldn’t necessarily rule anyone out.”

Before the game, Holmes spent some time in Boone’s office.

“I just check in and make sure, give him my thoughts on how to look at things in the short term,” Boone said. “But also make sure he’s good and see where he’s at. The thing is, Clay is such a solid person and he’s got such a good foundation. That’s why I think he’s handled the role so well, the ups and downs that inevitably come with it, the pressures that come with it.”

Holmes is 2-5 with a 3.27 ERA, 19 walks and 60 strikeouts in 55 innings. The 31-year-old with 73 career saves has had trouble getting batters out with two strikeouts.

“I think just because of the hype lately and some struggles, but again I think it’s important to differentiate last night from what I would call the ball not bouncing his way in a lot of these games where it wasn’t very far at all,” Boone said. “Just because of losing the strike zone a little bit last night, probably not getting his sinker where he wanted to be at times last night and just feeling like it was the right thing to do before today.”

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