BRONX, NY — A game that tested patience before first pitch ultimately unraveled late for the New York Yankees.
After a three hour and thirty five minute rain delay pushed Sunday afternoon’s first pitch (1:35PM ET) to early evening (5:10PM ET), the Yankees saw a late lead slip away in a 7-6 loss to the Miami Marlins, missing out on a series sweep and dropping to 7-2 on the young season.
New York appeared in control for much of the late afternoon behind a strong outing from Max Fried, with production from a surging Ben Rice, who helped build an early lead before a bullpen breakdown in the eighth inning proved to be costly on Easter Sunday.
Rice provided the early spark, launching a three-run home run in the first inning to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead. The red-hot first baseman has now homered three times in his last four games, continuing a breakout start supported by elite underlying metrics dating back to 2025.
The Yankees extended their lead to 4-1 in the third inning, capitalizing on a defensive miscue by Miami. However, missed opportunities would loom large as the game progressed with New York stranding runners consistently, and finishing the late-afternoon with 11 left on base.
Miami chipped away methodically. Xavier Edwards drove in a run with a double to cut the deficit to 4-2, and the Marlins added another in the sixth following a walk and defensive misplay to make it 4-3.
Fried, despite not having his sharpest command, delivered a quality outing. The left-hander worked for 6.2 innings and recorded four strikeouts, allowing three earned runs while navigating multiple jams.
“I thought he battled,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Like an ace does, even when it’s not his best, he gets you deep into the game.”
Max Fried, recording four strikeouts Sunday afternoon in the Yankees’ loss to the Marlins at Yankee Stadium, went for 6.2 innings and allowed three runs on five hits and three walks – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
The turning point came in the eighth.
Reliever Jake Bird, who had been nearly untouchable to start the season, struggled with command immediately. A walk and hit-by-pitch set the stage before Miami delivered a two-run double to take a 5-4 lead.
“Just lost the zone there,” Boone said. “And then a pitch in the heart of the plate.”
The Yankees failed to complete the three-game series sweep Sunday afternoon vs. the Marlins, dropping their second game of the 2026 regular season – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
The Marlins added two more runs later in the inning on another Edwards double, extending the lead to 7-4 and putting pressure on a Yankees offense that had failed to capitalize earlier. New York made one final push in the ninth as Jazz Chisholm Jr. ripped a two-run double to cut the deficit to one, bringing the tying run to the plate.
But with two men on, J.C. Escarra struck out to end the game.
Despite the loss, Boone credited the team’s late fight, stating, “Really good at-bats there at the end. Good to see that from Jazz.”
Still, the Yankees were left to reflect on missed chances and a bullpen hiccup that overshadowed another strong start from their rotation.
On a day that began with uncertainty due to weather, it ended with a reminder that even early in the season, execution late in games can define the outcome.
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