Justin Wilson believed he had resolved his recent woes with a mechanical improvement, which showed in a scoreless relief on Saturday.
On Thursday, that successful tenure proved to be an outlier as Wilson’s progress took a step backward.
Adding to the Yankees’ woes in their series finale against the Rays, Wilson was scored for the fourth time in their last five games in a 9–1 loss at Tropicana Field.
Wilson entered the game 7–0 in the eighth inning and gave up two more runs (not one earned) as his era improved to 6.52 from 11 matches this season.
“Just probably missing that last gear,” manager Aaron Boone said. “What makes Justin Wilson such a good reliever and such a good pitcher is that he has a low-level 90s fastball that actually plays. He can pitch at the top of the field. Some of his outings, it’s just that last Missing the click, the ultimate gear that makes the specialty of that fastball special.
“I think she’s close.”
Wilson’s fastball sat at speeds of 90–94 mph on Thursday, when Austin Meadows pulled a 92 mph fastball inside on the full count for a two-run double.
Kevan Smith led off that inning, reaching a catch interference. Brett Phillips fielded Singer in the likes of a fielder to run the field before Mike Brosseau.
Wilson drove Randy Azorna on four pitches, which bounced back with an injury when Meadows – in a left-on-lefty matchup – turned in a fastball to take a 9–0 lead. Wilson removed the next two batsmen from the order, but the damage was done.
The Yankees’ bullpen has largely been the strength to start the season, but getting Wilson back on track will be important for Boone to avoid overshadowing his successful high-leverage arms. Wilson, 33, has now given up seven runs (six earned) in 4 / ₃ innings in his last five appearances.
“A little in and out of the zone,” Boone said, “but finding that stability with the gear on your heater [is key]. “
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