Yankees’ Aaron Boone admits mistake in bringing in Clayton Andrews in loss to Mariners

O Yankees fell to the Mariners for the second consecutive game on Tuesday nightand although there was a lot of blame, a curious bullpen decision made by the manager Aaron Boone took center stage.

After Gleyber Torres‘ three-run home run cut the Yankees’ deficit to 4–3 in the seventh, Boone elected to start the eighth inning with the recently called up left-hander Clayton Andrews. The left-hander had been on the team for Ian Hamilton, who was placed on COVID IL earlier in the week.

Andrews had made just four major league appearances before Tuesday night — all last season with the Brewers — so it was a curious place to bring him. Andrews was warming up in the bottom of the seventh when the score was still 4-0, but as soon as the game got tighter Boone was left with the lefty who was already warmed up.

“I liked the track for him,” Boone said after the game. “That simple.”

Boone explained that the “clue” he is referring to is having Andrews face the southpaw Lucas Raley and then turn Cal Raleigh to the right side. Unfortunately, Boone’s plan didn’t work as Raley sent Andrew’s first pitch in a Yankees uniform into the right field seats to put the Mariners up 5-3.

After two hits, Boone pulled Andrews for Nick Burdi. When asked if Burdi was the pitcher considered to start the eighth, Boone said he actually was Caleb Fergusonwhich the longtime Yankees manager admitted was a mistake on his part.

“The case is to bring [Caleb Ferguson] there,” Boone explained. “Which, in hindsight, I probably should have done.”

Ferguson, another lefty, hasn’t been great in his first season with the Yankees after being traded by the Dodgers. In 21 starts, the 27-year-old pitched to a 5.29 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

Again, there were a few reasons why the Yankees lost their first consecutive games since late April. The offense didn’t get going until late, and the bullpen, which has been great all season, gave up four runs in four innings.

So while Andrews’ home run may have sapped any momentum the Yankees had after the three-run seventh, it didn’t guarantee they would hold Seattle to just four runs.

Fortunately for Boone and the Yankees, Tommy Kahnle should be activated on Wednesday. To make room for Kahnle, New York optioned Andrews back to Triple-A after Tuesday’s loss.