Devin Williams struggles in initial weeks with New York Yankees

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Three-and-a-half weeks into his New York Yankees career, Devin Williams doesn't resemble the All-Star closer who dominated hitters with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Brandon Lowe tied the score with a two-run single in a four-run ninth inning off Williams, Jonathan Aranda hit a two-run homer in the 10th against Yoendrys Gomez and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Yankees 10-8 Saturday to stop New York’s five-game winning streak.

“Yeah, four-run lead, you’d like to get in and get out,” Williams said. “Made some good pitches, made some bad ones. Not enough good ones today.”

Williams has a 9.00 ERA and has allowed runs in four of nine appearances. While he has four saves in four chances, Williams has walked seven in eight innings and opponents have a .333 average against him.

“We got a long way to go," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "It’s a little bump here early, and he’s got all the equipment to get through it.”

Luke Weaver, who struck out two in a perfect eighth, could become an increasingly enticing option to replace Williams as closer. After thriving when he took over the closer role from Clay Holmes late last season, Weaver has not allowed a run in 11 innings over nine games this year and has given up just two hits while striking out 13 and walking five.

Acquired in December from Milwaukee for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin, Williams can become a free agent after the season.

Williams converted 14 of 15 save chances with a 1.25 ERA for the Brewers last year, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. Diagnosed during 2024 spring training with two stress fractures in his back, he didn’t make his season debut until July 28.

Given an 8-4 lead, Williams allowed Jose Caballero’s one-out single on a chopper as third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera made a high throw, for an error, then walked No 9 batter Ben Rortvedt. Chandler Simpson hit an opposite-field RBI double to left for his first big league hit, Yandy Diaz hit a run-scoring infield single and Lowe singled to left.

“A lot of soft contact,” Boone said.

Williams allowed the hits to Caballero, Díaz and Lowe on his changeup, known as an air-bender.

“Just the changeup to Lowe. I'd like to have that one back,” Williams said. “Tough luck on that double down the line, but aside from that I thought I threw the ball pretty well.”

Williams generated just one swing and miss among his seven changeups.

“Maybe using it too much,” he said. “We'll work on that.”

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