The New York Yankees are hoping Devin Williams has found his groove.
Following an abysmal start to the season that included a 10.03 ERA through his first 14 games (11.2 innings), Williams finally began to show strides of his former self.
During an intense battle with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, the Yankees turned to Williams in the top of the 10th inning in hopes of holding a 3-3 tie.
With a runner on second base to begin the inning due to the extra-innings rule, Williams put himself in a difficult jam by loading the bases with two outs.
However, he got Padres star Xander Bogaerts to strike out swinging on a 3-2 changeup. He let out an emotional scream as he walked off the mound, clearly a sign a relief after a tumultuous start.
Following the 4-3 win thanks to J.C. Escarra’s sac fly, Bob Klapisch of NJ.com made an emphatic prediction about Williams’ future with the team.
“You didn’t have to be a genius to interpret the rush of primal emotions: conquest, relief and a big, fat middle finger to the legion of haters who’d like nothing more than to dump Williams on the Brewers’ front lawn,” Klapisch wrote. “But there’s no turning back now. Williams will be in Pinstripes for the rest of the season. That’s why his post-game proclamation was more than standard post-game propaganda.
“No, Williams is certain his Yankee career, however long it lasts, has been officially rescued.”
The two-time All-Star has had a baffling start to the season, especially considering Williams posted a 1.66 ERA over the last three seasons combined.
The Yankees have enough issues on both sides of the ball to the point where they need Williams to step up and be the elite thrower they acquired this offseason.
