New York Yankees: The Bright Spot in Another Bullpen Meltdown

Jun 24, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Tyler Clippard (29) reacts after giving up four runs against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

As the New York Yankees bullpen continues to implode, could Tyler Clippard be getting back on track?

The New York Yankees have lost 11 of their last 14, but Tuesday night’s loss to the Chicago White Sox hurt more than any other over the past two weeks.

Luis Severino was masterful. The fireballer threw seven innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits, surrendering no walks and striking out a dozen.

The Yankee offense couldn’t figure out Jose Quintana, but touched up the Chicago bullpen for three runs in the top of the eighth.

This game had the makings of a quality team win. Then Joe Girardi went to the bullpen.

Domingo Germán got the first crack at it. However, Germán walked the only two batters he faced.

Then entered Tyler Clippard, to the dismay of Yankee fans everywhere. Clippard came in and walked two of his own. According to baseball math, four walks equal a run, cutting New York’s lead to 3-2.

Dellin Betances, who has been Girardi’s most reliable reliever this year, then came in to close things out. However, he walked two batters, hit another, and gave up a two-run walk-off single to José Abreu.

May 16, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (28) visits the mound in the seventh inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Yankees won 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

It seems that no matter who Girardi calls on from the bullpen, the result is the same. A blown lead and Yankee loss.

The bright spot from Tuesday’s bullpen meltdown: Tyler Clippard didn’t give up a run!

Yes, Clippard walked in a run, but that run was charged to Germán.

Was Clippard lights out? Far from it.

However, with what we’ve recently seen from the right-hander, nine earned runs in his previous 1.1 innings, Yankee fans will take a scoreless outing.

Clippard was one strike away from getting out of a bases-loaded, no out situation unscathed. He eventually struck out Matt Davidson to limit the damage and we saw the intensity from Clippard that we saw earlier in the season.

After the game, Clippard talked about gaining confidence and feeling more like himself.

This is a big positive to take from a heartbreaking loss.

If Clippard can get back to early-season form, New York can focus on other areas of need at the trade deadline, namely starting pitching and corner infielders.

Most Yankee fans are confident that Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman will pitch as they’re expected to. The problem has been getting a lead from the starting pitcher to the backend bullpen duo.

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The Yankees need Tyler Clippard. He doesn’t have to be what Andrew Miller was for New York in 2016. He just needs to find a way to get three outs in the seventh inning and hand leads off to Betances and Chapman.

Hopefully, Clippard can use Tuesday night’s performance as a stepping stone and get back on track.

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