New York Yankees fans were not happy with Aaron Boone’s decision that burned the team late Monday against the Seattle Mariners.
The Yankees were tied at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the 8th inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash. That’s when Boone decided to send out relief pitcher Paul Blackburn out of the bullpen, and Blackburn repaid Boone’s trust with a scoreless inning.
Things started to unravel when Boone kept Blackburn in after a scoreless top of the 9th. The right-hander sandwiched an out between singles from Leo Rivas and Brendan Donovan. That set the stage for Cal Raleigh to hit a walk-off hit down the right-field line.
CAL RALEIGH WALKS OFF THE YANKEES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) March 31, 2026
pic.twitter.com/KzF4mvD58x
Several Yankees fans were incensed that Boone stuck with Blackburn, who sports a career 4.97 ERA, for an extra inning rather than go with a more trusted arm.
THIS LOSS WILL BE PINNED ON AARON BOONE’S INEPTNESS TO LEAVE PAUL BLACKBUM IN THE GAME IN A HIGH LEVERAGE SITUATION
— YN Judge (@JudgesChamberss) March 31, 2026
BLACKBURN IN 1-1 ,WHY THIS GUY YOU JUST GAVE THE GAME AWAY!!!! pic.twitter.com/ndb5VwnMwS
— Big Nick Turturro (@NickTurturro1) March 31, 2026
Why the hell is Paul Blackburn pitching in this situation https://t.co/ak9ed3ZAgH
— MJ ✯ (@VladitoByke) March 31, 2026
Even some Mariners fans were perplexed by Boone’s call.
Why did the Yankees just toss Paul Blackburn out there for the last two innings?
— Mariner Muse (@MarinerMuse) March 31, 2026
That’s the kind of punt we’d kill Dan over
It was a tough break for the Yankees — one that fans felt was avoidable had Boone gone with David Bednar instead of Blackburn. New York tarnished its spotless 3-0 record with the team’s first loss of the season.
In the grand scheme of things, it was just one loss. Boone probably wanted to give Blackburn a chance to prove his worth, and the result ended up being a poor one for both men involved.
