SEATTLE -- For nearly four full games, the Yankees’ bullpen had been untouchable. It took just a few pitches in the ninth inning on Monday for that perfection to disappear, resulting in a walk-off loss.
Cal Raleigh delivered a run-scoring single off Paul Blackburn as the Yankees fell to the Mariners, 2-1, at T-Mobile Park. The knock scored Leo Rivas with the first run surrendered by a Yankees reliever this season.
Ryan Weathers made his Yankees debut, striking out seven over 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball. Known for a big arm that produces high-90s velocity but comes with a checkered injury history, the left-hander was acquired from the Marlins for a package of four Minor Leaguers in January, when he became something of a project for pitching coach Matt Blake.
Under Blake’s advisement, Weathers modified his weight room workouts as well as his between-starts throwing program, aiming to prioritize recovery and save more strength for the mound. The son of 19-year big league veteran David Weathers has been receptive to the changes, pointing out that he has enjoyed a velocity jump as a result.
Touched by Cole Young’s run-scoring single in the second -- the first time the Yanks have trailed this season -- Weathers exited with runners at second and third bases in the fifth. Fernando Cruz came out of the bullpen to flash his filthy splitter, striking out Dominic Canzone and Julio Rodríguez to escape.
Luis Castillo blanked the Yankees on two hits over six innings, striking out seven while walking two. Amed Rosario came off the bench to lift a seventh-inning sacrifice fly that tied the game.