Joe Girardi admitted at a press conference on Saturday that he had “messed up” the critical situation of the 8-9 defeat in the American League Division Series.The manager of the New York Yankees took full responsibility for refusing a challenge after a hit-by-pitch and thus initiating the Cleveland Indians’ comeback.
“I blew it,”Girardi openly said,”It’s hard.It’s a hard day for me.But I have to move forward and we’ll be ready tomorrow.”
In the sixth inning of the Indians’ 9-8 victory over the Yankees, home plate Umpire had won two outs and two base men on hit-by-pitch.Yankee pitcher Chad Green is said to have hit Lonnie Chisenhall with a pitch.That loaded the bases, then Francisco Lindor beat a Grand Slam, which reduced the Yankees lead to 8-7.
TV pictures, however, showed that Green’s pitch only hit the club’s pommel, not Chisenhall’s hand.Catcher Gary Sanchez caught the ball on two strikes.So it would have been the third strike to get a strikeout, which would have ended the inning without damage from the Yankees’ point of view.Girardi, however, refused to provide video evidence, although Sanchez asked him to do so.
Girardi had said after the game that he didn’t have enough time to make the decision for the challenge and he didn’t want to disturb Green’s rhythm,”There was nothing to tell us that he wasn’t hit by the pitch.By the time they showed the super slow motion, almost a minute had passed.It was too late.They’re telling us we only have 30 seconds.”
On Saturday, however, he said:”I take responsibility for everything – and I feel terrible about it” The Yankees are trailing 0-2 in the series after their defeat and could be eliminated for good on Sunday in Match 3.
This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.