New York Yankees: Adam Ottavino has horrendous night

It is safe to say that Monday night’s outing did not go as the New York Yankees or Adam Ottavino had hoped for.

As the New York Yankees cling desperately to a playoff berth and attempt to avoid a dramatic collapse into nothingness, they needed someone to step up. On Monday night, with New York trying to hold on to a 6-3 lead in the sixth inning, Adam Ottavino had that chance.

Ottavino had been one of the Yankees’ better relievers this season. In his 12.2 innings heading into Monday, he had allowed five runs on eight hits and six walks, striking out 15 batters. He entered the game with the bases loaded and one out, needing just one double play ground ball to get out of the inning.

Well, we know what they say about the best laid plans. Instead of being the fireman that puts out the blaze, Ottavino went Fahrenheit 451 on the mound. He poured petrol on the fire, allowing four hits and two walks without recording an out. As he exited the game, that three run lead had turned into a six run deficit.

The big blow came on the final batter that Ottavino faced. Down 8-6, and with the bases loaded, he left a 3-1 sinker right down the middle of the plate. Danny Jansen crushed that pitch to dead center, the grand slam punctuating the Blue Jays’ ten run inning.

Ottavino had been torched earlier this season as well. He had recorded just two outs against the Rays on August 20, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk in suffering his second loss of the season.

This game is essentially a microcosm of how the Yankees season has gone. New York has now lost four consecutive games, and 14 of their past 18 contests. A 2.5 game lead after play on August 17 has evaporated to the point where the Yankees are in danger of missing the postseason.

Obviously, this is not Ottavino’s fault. He had allowed just one run on three hits in his previous four outings, striking out five. But his implosion is a reminder that the Yankees cannot afford to lose games in this manner. Every game counts, especially as New York is currently sitting as the eighth seed in the playoff pool.

New York Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino had a night to forget on Monday. His struggles just illustrate what has been a difficult few weeks for the Yankees.