Yankees Lose First Game of the 2026 Season in Ninth-Inning Blunder Against the Mariners
During 2026 Opening Day, the New York Yankees opened eyes in their win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Two games later, New York would complete the sweep and start their season 3-0. The Yankees' next challenge was heading to Seattle to take on the Mariners. However, in the first meeting between both teams, the Bronx Bombers’ offense struggled, and Seattle took advantage in the bottom of the ninth when 29-year-old catcher Cal Releigh hit a game-winning single down the right field line to give the Mariners a 2-1 victory. The Yankees lose their first game of the 2026 season, while Seattle improves to 3-2.
The Loss Was Not Just on Weathers
In his first start of the 2026 season, Ryan Weathers pitched four and one-third innings, allowing one run on four hits, two walks, and striking out seven. The only earned run by Weathers came at the bottom of the second when second baseman Cole Young hit an RBI single to right field. Besides the one error, you could tell how excited the 26-year-old was on the mound. His seven early strikeouts were a testament to what he could do once he starts gaining momentum and more confidence. This loss isn’t just on Weathers. The Yankees' offense was not there throughout most of the game. New York tied the game at one run apiece during the top of the seventh. They should have produced more in order to secure an advantage, and for Weathers to be more at ease about the run he gave up. The Bronx Bombers had just five hits in the loss. Not what a team that just earned an Opening Day series sweep should look like.
Most of the Yankees' Bullpen Was Solid
Once Weathers left the game, Fernando Cruz, Jake Bird, and Brent Headrick all looked solid coming out of the bullpen. Cruz and Headrick struck out two batters apiece. At the bottom of the fifth, Cruz stopped the Mariners' momentum by striking out two batters with runners on second and third. If the Yankees can continue to have their relievers shut down any batting order in the league during the late innings of a ball game, that would be huge as we head deeper into the 2026 season.
Concerns About Judge?
Three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge has recorded just three hits in four games through the 2026 season. For someone who had over 50 home runs in back-to-back seasons, that should be a cause for concern. Even though we’re four games into the season, Judge must get on track if the Yankees want to find continuous success. Hopefully, he’ll find success against Tuesday’s starting pitcher, Logan Gilbert.
