It will be a long MLB All-Star break for New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo.
With the Bronx Bombers holding a one-run lead and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Verdugo misjudged a routine fly ball off the bat of Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins. It cost the Yankees a win as Mullins’ hit was scored a two-run double and Baltimore stormed the field following a 6-5 walk-off win.
Given the tightly-contested race atop the American League East standings, the Yankees now one game back of the Orioles, Verdugo’s blunder was all the more notable.
Many baseball fans took to social media and crushed Verdugo for it.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Verdugo took ownership for the miscue and explained how he misread the ball off the bat and took a step in. He was unable to recover from that initial step (or two) and the play concluded with Verdugo lying on his stomach as he tried to make up for his error.
The Yankees enter the MLB All-Star break one game back of the Orioles in the AL East, but just 3 1/2 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. New York held a 14-game advantage over Boston on June 14, but the Red Sox have stormed back after 10 wins in their last 13 games.
