The Yankees have been a much better baserunning team this year than last year, but a crucial out at the plate cost them their best chance for a rally on Wednesday.
In the second inning of a 7-3 loss to the Mariners, Isiah Kiner-Falefa was thrown out at home while trying to score from first base on a double by Kyle Higashioka. Instead of having the chance to put up a crooked number against Luis Castillo, the Yankees had to settle for just one run.
Third-base coach Luis Rojas waved Kiner-Falefa home, but the Mariners executed the relay from left field and nailed Kiner-Falefa by a few steps for the final out of the inning. Had Rojas held Kiner-Falefa, Anthony Rizzo would have come to the plate with runners on second and third with a shot to put a dent in what was then a 6-1 deficit.
“Probably made a decision a little too quick,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We’re not going to stop being aggressive, but obviously that’s a situation where you gotta be a little bit surer. Maybe Luis made a quick decision thinking we got it. But we’re not going to stop playing.
“It cost us there, but I can count on one hand how many mistake sends we’ve had. It’s not going to be perfect all the time.”
It marked the 10th time this season the Yankees have made an out at home. Last season, they were tied for the MLB lead in that category with 22 outs at home.
