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Like most contending teams, the Yankees will continue looking to bolster their bullpen before Thursday’s trade deadline.
In Sunday’s 4-3 victory over the Phillies, the struggling relief pitchers remarkably came through, as four of them successfully secured 11 outs while holding onto a slim lead following Carlos Rodón’s departure in the sixth inning.
“Sometimes, all it takes is a single successful outing to gain momentum,” stated closer Devin Williams, who sealed the win with a flawless ninth inning for his 16th save. “It was great to witness everyone throwing goose eggs on the scoreboard today.”
Having been a two-time All-Star with Milwaukee, and now in his first year with the Yankees, Williams mentioned that he’s not dwelling on the possibility of further bullpen reinforcements, despite the recent acquisitions of infielders Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario by the team.
“I just show up and do my job, and I’ll let [GM Brian] Cashman take care of that,” Williams added.
Aaron Boone believes Williams’ stuff looks “as good as it’s been all year,” and the numbers bear that out.
The 30-year-old righty has not allowed a run in 24 of his past 29 appearances (2.28 ERA) following a slow start to his pinstriped career in which he briefly ceded the closer role to Luke Weaver.
“I’m just pitching with confidence and conviction and, for the most part, executing what I want to do,” Williams said.
Weaver also contributed to the win by tossing a spotless seventh inning in relief of Jonathan Loáisiga, who replaced Rodón with one down in the sixth.
Weaver surrendered a three-run homer to J.T. Realmuto and another run during Friday’s 12-5 loss.
“We’ve been putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to try and come through with big outs,” Weaver said. “Sometimes they come in bunches in a good way, and sometimes it goes bad.
“You always know there’s that next day of getting into a big moment and trying to flush the bad ones, and I think that’s the biggest mindset we try to take in. Today, it was a good boost in our direction.”
And lefty Tim Hill worked a perfect eighth against the top of the Phillies lineup, retiring Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
It was an uplifting showing for the Yanks, who rank 22nd across MLB with a bullpen ERA of 4.28.
“I mean, that’s what you want it to look like, right there,” Boone said. “So, really good against a good lineup to have four guys go out and kind of really slam it down.”