Thoughts of Gleyber Torres mental mistakes in October keep Keith up at night
The Yankees weren’t able to clinch the AL East on Tuesday night, falling 5-3 to the Orioles after appearing to have the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with Aaron Judge coming to the plate during a seventh-inning rally.
Instead, Gleyber Torres darted for home after a throw down to second tried to nab Juan Soto, and Torres was caught in a rundown for the final out. Soto, who had just singled, was safe on second after taking off when the throw from the outfield went straight through to home plate, and Torres, after being held up by third base coach Luis Rojas, took off despite being just steps off the bag, and was out by a mile.
It was the sixth time Torres was thrown out at home this season, tied with Yandy Diaz for the league lead.
“In the postseason, it’s all about momentum swings,” Keith McPherson said. “The Yankees had opportunities, and when they didn’t cash in, the Orioles just bopped them on the head.
“I’m not mad at Gleyber, because I’ve seen it before…that Gleyber Torres error in the 2024 postseason keeps me up at night. It’s coming.
More than once. Will they overcome it? Who knows.”
Keith has long feared that a Torres gaffe will ultimately cost the Yanks in a key spot come October, and Tuesday was a harsh reminder that those mistakes are possible, even as Torres has picked it up and been one of the team’s best hitters over the past month.
“He had some very good at-bats…but man, when you have the rally and the momentum and Judge coming up…you can’t go back three times!” Keith said. “I just sunk in my seat…it’s a mess, these baserunning issues.”
