BRONX, NY — The New York Yankees were unable to capitalize on early opportunities Wednesday night, falling 3-2 to the team formerly known as the Oakland Athletics, setting up a decisive rubber match in the series finale Thursday afternoon.
After jumping out to an early lead, the Yankees’ offense stalled, while former Bronx Bomber Luis Severino rebounded from a shaky opening inning to quiet the Yankees bats across five innings.
New York appeared poised to take control early, loading the bases in the first inning and sending eight batters to the plate. Run producing contributions from Cody Bellinger and JC Escarra gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead, but the club failed to deliver a decisive blow in front of a pinstripe crowd of approximately 38,147.
The Yankees offense failed to come through in key spots in their loss to the Athletics Wednesday night, going 1-7 at the plate with runners in scoring position – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“We just didn’t score when we had a chance to kind of throw a knockout punch there early,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We couldn’t break through.”
That missed opportunity proved costly.
Severino, 32, of Sabana de la Mar, Dominican Republic, facing his former team, settled in after escaping the bases-loaded jam. The right-hander who won the American League LatinoMVP Pitcher of the Year in 2018, allowed just two runs over five innings while striking out seven—keeping the Athletics within striking distance.
“I mean, he’s got great stuff,” Boone said. “He didn’t flinch… he buckled down.”
Luis Severino began his MLB career with the Yankees, making his pro-debut in 2015 and pitched in pinstripes until 2024 offseason which is when he signed with the Mets and then a year later, landed a multi-year deal with the A’s – Image Credit: Emma Sharon/Latino Sports
The Athletics chipped away in the fourth inning, using a string of hits and a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2. From there, both bullpens traded scoreless frames as the game moved into the late innings deadlocked.
Despite the loss, Yankees starter Will Warren continued the team’s early-season trend of strong pitching as the right-hander allowed two runs over 4.2 innings, helping keep New York in position to win.
“Overall, pretty good,” Boone said of Warren’s outing. “Two runs and gave us a chance to win a baseball game.”
Will Warren pitched 4.2 innings of two-run ball with five strikeouts Wednesday night in the Bronx vs. the Athletics, giving the Yankees offense room to work with – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Through 11 games, Yankees starters have now allowed three runs or fewer in every outing—the first time the franchise has accomplished that mark since a 16-game stretch in 2022.
With the game tied, David Bednar entered in relief allowing back to back hits to start the ninth, highlighted by a double from Shea Langeliers. Brent Rooker followed with a sacrifice fly to give Oakland a 3-2 lead.
Bednar’s fastball velocity has dipped early this season, averaging 95.6 mph compared to 97.1 mph last year, though Boone downplayed any concern.
“Nothing I’m concerned about,” Boone said. “It’s early… cold weather, guys tick up and down.”
After five solid appearances to start off 2026, with each resulting in a save, David Bednar experienced a shaky one Wednesday vs. the A’s and surrendered the game-deciding run in the ninth – Image Credit: Emma Sharon/Latino Sports
New York’s offense had one final chance but went quietly in the bottom of the ninth. Escarra and Rosario grounded out before Ryan McMahon struck out swinging to end the game.
McMahon, who made his first career MLB start at shortstop Wednesday night, impressed defensively with several strong plays but continued to search for consistency at the plate.
“Thought it looked great,” Boone said of McMahon’s defense. “He made some challenging plays look routine.”
Ryan McMahon, making his first start in the majors at shortstop, said in Wednesday’s postgame that he felt like he held his own and settled in on the diamond as the game went on – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
The Yankees finished the night with seven runners left on base and were unable to deliver in key moments, including a critical strikeout by Bellinger in the seventh inning with a runner in scoring position.
“Late in the game, you want to come through there,” Bellinger said. “I just wasn’t able to do it.”
With the loss that included four hits from the Yankees’ offense, the series is now evened up at one, with Thursday’s first pitch of the rubber match set for 1:35pM ET.
On the season, the Yankees’ record is 8-3 overall with each of New York losses getting decided by one run.
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