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NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Devin Williams has another rocky 9th inning for the Yankees, but the embattled reliever hangs on
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Devin Williams' first two months with the New York Yankees have been a roller coaster ride, and his first save in nearly six weeks was full of even more thrills and chills. Williams gave up two runs and three hits in the ninth inning, but the former All-Star closer persevered and finished the Yankees' 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. After retiring pinch-hitter Logan O'Hoppe on a foul popup with a runner on first to end it, Williams chose to see the cleaner side of another messy evening. 'I mean, at the end of the day, we won,' Williams said. 'That's all that matters.' The Yankees acquired Williams from Milwaukee last winter to be a major component of their bullpen, but he's still adjusting to the bright lights of Broadway. Williams had a handful of rocky outings in his first month, culminating on April 25 when he blew a save by giving up three runs in the ninth to Toronto at Yankee Stadium, his ERA ballooning to 11.25. Williams lost his job as the Yankees' closer after that, but he has found his form over the past three weeks, making eight consecutive scoreless appearances and allowing just three hits. That gave manager Aaron Boone enough confidence to go to Williams at the Big A for his first save opportunity since late April — particularly because Luke Weaver had pitched in five of the previous seven games. It didn't seem like a high-leverage spot, either: The Yankees had a 3-0 lead, and the Angels hadn't scored in 16 consecutive innings. Williams repeatedly was one pitch away from another disaster in Anaheim, but Boone claimed to be satisfied by the result. 'Not worried about it,' Boone said. 'In the end, you bend, don't break. There's a lot that you take away from that outing. But the reality is he's throwing the ball really well. They put a couple of good swings on him tonight, but that's part of it.' Williams immediately gave up a leadoff homer to Yoán Moncada on a changeup that caught too much of the plate. Taylor Ward singled, Travis d'Arnaud hit a screaming 104.9-mph flyout to center, and Luis Rengifo singled to put runners on the corners with one out. But Williams came through to earn his fifth save of the season. After Ward scored when Jo Adell grounded into a forceout, Williams fell behind 3-0 to O'Hoppe. The promising catcher unexpectedly swung at a high fastball out of the strike zone and popped it into foul territory near the Angels' dugout. 'I didn't think he'd be swinging there, to be honest,' Williams said. 'Kind of did me a favor.' Williams is new to New York, but he knows all about the perils of his chosen profession. He ended his Brewers career by blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning of the decisive Game 3 in the NL wild-card series against the Mets — and then he was booed in the Bronx just 18 pitches into his Yankees career when he nearly blew a win on opening day. 'You just keep going,' Williams said. 'The game isn't over. We didn't lose yet. It's pretty simple.' Williams' ninth inning was a dramatic finish to an outstanding night for Carlos Rodón, who pitched seven scoreless innings of five-hit ball with 10 strikeouts and no walks. The Yankees issued no walks for the first time this season. Williams' struggles are a minor inconvenience in another strong start for the defending AL champions. New York (34-20) has won four straight and 15 of 19 with seven consecutive series victories, surging to a seven-game lead in the AL East in May for the first time since 1998. 'That's a heck of a job by Devin to hang in,' Rodón said. 'They made some good swings, and the ninth is a different animal. It's really hard to get the last three outs of the game. I thought he hung in. I thought he did great and still shut (them) down and got the save.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Devin Williams has another rocky 9th inning for the Yankees, but the embattled reliever hangs on
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, right, congratulates relief pitcher Devin Williams after the last out against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) New York Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt, right, congratulates relief pitcher Devin Williams, left, and catcher Austin Wells after defeating the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) New York Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt, right, congratulates relief pitcher Devin Williams, left, and catcher Austin Wells after defeating the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, right, congratulates relief pitcher Devin Williams after the last out against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) New York Yankees' Paul Goldschmidt, right, congratulates relief pitcher Devin Williams, left, and catcher Austin Wells after defeating the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Devin Williams' first two months with the New York Yankees have been a roller coaster ride, and his first save in nearly six weeks was full of even more thrills and chills. Williams gave up two runs and three hits in the ninth inning Tuesday night, but the former All-Star closer persevered and finished the Yankees' 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Advertisement After retiring pinch-hitter Logan O'Hoppe on a foul popup with a runner on first to end it, Williams chose to see the cleaner side of another messy evening. 'I mean, at the end of the day, we won,' Williams said. 'That's all that matters.' The Yankees acquired Williams from Milwaukee last winter to be a major component of their bullpen, but he's still adjusting to the bright lights of Broadway. Williams had a handful of rocky outings in his first month, culminating on April 25 when he blew a save by giving up three runs in the ninth to Toronto at Yankee Stadium, his ERA ballooning to 11.25. Williams lost his job as the Yankees' closer after that, but he has found his form over the past three weeks, making eight consecutive scoreless appearances and allowing just three hits. Advertisement That gave manager Aaron Boone enough confidence to go to Williams at the Big A for his first save opportunity since late April — particularly because Luke Weaver had pitched in five of the previous seven games. It didn't seem like a high-leverage spot, either: The Yankees had a 3-0 lead, and the Angels hadn't scored in 16 consecutive innings. Williams repeatedly was one pitch away from another disaster in Anaheim, but Boone claimed to be satisfied by the result. 'Not worried about it,' Boone said. 'In the end, you bend, don't break. There's a lot that you take away from that outing. But the reality is he's throwing the ball really well. They put a couple of good swings on him tonight, but that's part of it.' Advertisement Williams immediately gave up a leadoff homer to Yoán Moncada on a changeup that caught too much of the plate. Taylor Ward singled, Travis d'Arnaud hit a screaming 104.9-mph flyout to center, and Luis Rengifo singled to put runners on the corners with one out. But Williams came through to earn his fifth save of the season. After Ward scored when Jo Adell grounded into a forceout, Williams fell behind 3-0 to O'Hoppe. The promising catcher unexpectedly swung at a high fastball out of the strike zone and popped it into foul territory near the Angels' dugout. 'I didn't think he'd be swinging there, to be honest,' Williams said. 'Kind of did me a favor.' Advertisement Williams is new to New York, but he knows all about the perils of his chosen profession. He ended his Brewers career by blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning of the decisive Game 3 in the NL wild-card series against the Mets — and then he was booed in the Bronx just 18 pitches into his Yankees career when he nearly blew a win on opening day. 'You just keep going,' Williams said. 'The game isn't over. We didn't lose yet. It's pretty simple.' Williams' ninth inning was a dramatic finish to an outstanding night for Carlos Rodón, who pitched seven scoreless innings of five-hit ball with 10 strikeouts and no walks. The Yankees issued no walks for the first time this season. Williams' struggles are a minor inconvenience in another strong start for the defending AL champions. New York (34-20) has won four straight and 15 of 19 with seven consecutive series victories, surging to a seven-game lead in the AL East in May for the first time since 1998. Advertisement 'That's a heck of a job by Devin to hang in,' Rodón said. 'They made some good swings, and the ninth is a different animal. It's really hard to get the last three outs of the game. I thought he hung in. I thought he did great and still shut (them) down and got the save.' ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scottish Lassie, Shred the Gnar Work Toward Acorn
Sportsmen Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Photos Finish, Corms Racing Stable and trainer Jorge Abreu's Grade 1 winner Scottish Lassie worked Sunday over Saratoga Race Course's Oklahoma training track in preparation for the $500,000 DK Horse Acorn (G1) for 3-year-old fillies on June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The daughter of McKinzie breezed a solo five furlongs in 1:04 flat shortly after the conclusion of the 8:15 renovation break, her first work since her seasonal bow when third in a May 1 optional claimer at Belmont at the Big A. Advertisement 'It was good, and more than enough,' Abreu said. 'She came out of her race with good attitude and is doing everything good, like her old self.' Scottish Lassie graduated in style last year with a nine-length trouncing of the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont at the Big A, which awarded her a berth into the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies where she finished an even fourth. In her return last out, she broke awkwardly and had trouble finding her footing before being rushed up into contention to duel head-to-head for the lead. She weakened in the lane and finished three lengths behind the victorious Cassiar. Abreu added Scottish Lassie will have two more works in preparation for the nine-furlong Acorn. Bred in Kentucky by Winchester Farm, Scottish Lassie was an $85,000 purchase at the 2024 OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. She is out of the winning Bodemeister mare Bodebabe, a half-sister to stakes-winner Windmill and stakes-placed Ignitis. Advertisement Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing's Shred the Gnar was back on the work tab with her sights set on the Acorn . Trained by Brian Lynch, the Into Mischief bay is pointed to the 1 1/8-mile test following two dominant pacesetting scores, including by seven lengths last out in a 1 1/16-mile optional-claimer on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs. She breezed a half-mile in 47.60 seconds on Saturday at the Louisville track as she readies for a step up in class. 'She is pointing to the Acorn,' said Lynch. 'I just got a maintenance half-mile into her as she is pointed towards the Acorn. She worked by herself. Her last effort was pretty self-explanatory. Everything seems to be going great with her.' Shred the Gnar previously graduated second-out by 6 1/2 lengths going one-mile in March at Gulfstream Park. That performance earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure, which she improved to a career-best 94 in her last race. On debut, she was a neck second sprinting six furlongs in February at Gulfstream. Advertisement Also on the tab Saturday at Churchill Downs for Lynch was Grade 1-placed Highway Robber, a 5-year-old Hard Spun gelding who earned a career-best 100 Beyer for a one-length third to Spirit of St Louis in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Highway Robber, owned by Susan and Jim Hill, breezed a half-mile in 50.80 with an eye towards the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan on June 7 Belmont Stakes Day at the Spa. 'He's tentatively schedule to go into the Manhattan,' said Lynch. 'He's an honest horse. It was just a maintenance work, first work back since his last race, letting him stretch his legs.' Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing's Owen Almighty finished a highly respectable fifth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, but Lynch said the Speightstown bay will likely pass on Belmont Stakes Racing Festival engagements. 'He's not slated to do anything up there,' said Lynch, adding that the colt is doing well. 'We are just giving him a little more time. No plans for him at the moment, just going to let him do his thing.'
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shaikin: The Angels have the longest playoff drought in MLB. What exactly is the plan?
The Angels last put up a winning record 10 years ago. I was looking for a reason to believe in the Angels, any reason. There is a magazine called Reason. The editor-at-large, Matt Welch, is an Angels diehard. In 1982, he slept in a Ford Pinto in the Big A parking lot, waiting for his chance to buy tickets for what would have been the first World Series in Angels history. He got the tickets, but the Angels blew a two-game lead in the American League Championship Series. So, Mr. Reason, do you see a reason to believe in the Angels? 'Generally speaking, of course not,' Welch said. 'And also, because I'm an Angels fan, sure.' For an Angels fan, these are the worst of times. In six years in Anaheim, Shohei Ohtani never reached the postseason. In his first year with the Dodgers, Ohtani won the World Series. Read more: 'This kid is special.' Kenley Jansen eager to help Angels' Ben Joyce reach next level Baseball Prospectus and Fangraphs each project another losing season in Anaheim. Attendance has fallen 32% from its peak. On Thursday — on Opening Day! — the state auditor's office is scheduled to release a report that could say whether the team has shirked its maintenance responsibilities at Angel Stadium. On Friday, former Anaheim mayor Harry Sidhu is expected to learn whether he will be sent to prison for four felony charges triggered by the public corruption investigation that derailed the city's sale of the stadium to Angels owner Arte Moreno. Neither an FBI affidavit nor Sidhu's plea agreement alleges any wrongdoing by the Angels. On the field, the Angels appeared to spend another winter in their decade of self-imposed purgatory: no full rebuild and no all-in free-agent signings, with rosters patched with mid-tier veterans and lacking in depth, all with the upside of winning 80-something games and sneaking into the playoffs. On one hand, it is admirable that Moreno chooses not to subject fans to years of rebuilding, and the possible run of 100-loss seasons that comes with it, even as so many other owners run that playbook and enjoy the profits that come with slashing the payroll. On the other hand, what Moreno has done has not worked, and the Angels still lost 99 games last season. 'As long as you have some young players that haven't fully developed but have shown some flashes of talent, they can vault ahead in a hurry,' said Welch, the guy from Reason. He was not alone in that opinion. I asked General Manager Perry Minasian why fans should believe in the Angels. 'Great question,' Minasian said. 'For me, with winning teams, it starts with a core. Now, we have a young core of players that we believe in, that we think are championship-caliber players.' The core is led by the two players with their faces on giant posters outside the front gate of Angel Stadium: shortstop Zach Neto and catcher Logan O'Hoppe. Among other young position players: first baseman Nolan Schanuel, second baseman Christian Moore, outfielders Jo Adell and Nelson Rada. On the pitching side: Reid Detmers, Jack Kochanowicz, José Soriano, Ben Joyce, Caden Dana, George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri. On one side or the other: the No. 2 pick in the June draft. If the Angels can hit on, say, half of those players — all 26 or younger — they can proceed with Plan A: In 2026, when oft-injured third baseman Anthony Rendon's $245-million contract expires, Minasian can reasonably suggest to Moreno the team is one or two players away from contention. Perhaps those two players might resemble the stars Moreno signed in his first winter as the Angels' owner: Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colón. If the Angels cannot hit on the majority of those prospects — and it would not be typical for a team to hit on so many — then back to purgatory they go. In the meantime, we are 19 paragraphs into this column and finally getting to Mike Trout, the greatest player in franchise history. Trout can still play at a high level — he led the major leagues in home runs when he suffered a season-ending knee injury last year — but he has not played even 120 games in a season since 2019. 'As long as his presence is there, his performance will be there,' Angels manager Ron Washington said. Trout did not shy away from the premise that his playing 140 games could make the difference between an unexpected run at contention and another long and dreary summer. 'Oh yeah,' he said. 'Obviously, if I'm out there, it's definitely going to help the team for sure.' No Angel besides Trout and Ohtani has hit 30 home runs this decade. Trout has done it seven times in his 14-year career. Newcomer Jorge Soler has done it twice in his 11-year career; he hit 36 for the Miami Marlins in 2023. Jered Weaver averaged 14 wins and 184 innings in 11 years with the Angels, the last in 2016. Since then, no pitcher has thrown 184 innings even once, and only Ohtani won as many as 14 games. He did it once. The Angels' starters last season posted a 4.97 earned-run average, the highest in the AL. What should Angels fans expect from their team this season? Read more: Why Angels manager Ron Washington thinks 'things can go way better than you think' 'I don't make any predictions,' Minasian said. 'I think they're going to see a team that plays extremely hard. I think they're going to see a lot of talented players. We'll see what happens.' On the day the Dodgers attracted more than 10,000 paying fans to a workout in Japan, the Angels drew a couple hundred for free pregame workouts ahead of a Cactus League game. It is not a fair comparison, of course. The Dodgers had Ohtani in his home country, the game's biggest star amid the team's constellation of superstars. The Angels have Trout. Jaxson Keltner, 12, came from Ohio and held up a large poster board, upon which he had written: 'I TRAVELED 1,914 MILES TO MEET MIKE TROUT.' Trout is the Angels' brand name. In baseball, a brand name is not enough. It would be improbable for the Angels to go from last to first in 2025. It would be enough to give their fans a reason to believe. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
