Yankees Manager Drops Blunt Austin Wells Quote After ALDS Game 1 Loss to Rays

Catcher Austin Wells made a crucial baserunning mistake as the New York Yankees lost 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on Saturday night. With two outs in the top of the eighth inning, Wells hit a ball down the right field line, marking New York’s first hit of the night. Wells had an easy double but was thrown out at third base while attempting to stretch the hit into a triple.

Following the loss, Boone commented on Wells’ mistake.

New York Yankees’ Aaron Boone Drops Honest Austin Wells Quote After Loss to Rays

“Obviously, not a good decision there,” Boone said. “There’s mistakes every now and then in aggression. Obviously, that was one,” Boone added. “He’s usually a little more risk-averse on the bases. Obviously, it’s a mistake – it does happen.”

Wells went 1-for-3 with a strikeout on Saturday.

Wells, 27, posted 1.1 bWAR with a .186/.292/.332 slash line, 14 home runs and 32 RBI over 122 games during the regular season. Since making his MLB debut with New York in 2023, Wells has been worth 3.8 bWAR with a .213/.294/.397 slash line, 52 home runs and 171 RBI.

New York Yankees Trail 1-0 in ALDS vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Right-hander Drew Rasumussen threw an absolute gem, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out 10 over eight innings, en route to Tampa Bay’s 1-0 win over New York. Right-hander Bryan Baker earned the save by striking out two in a perfect inning.

Jonathan Aranda hit a solo home run of right-hander Gerrit Cole in the bottom of the third inning to give Tampa Bay its first and only run of the game. Cole allowed five hits and one walk while striking out five over five innings. Game 2 of the ALDS is slated to start at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Monday at Tropicana Field. Right-hander Cam Schlittler will start for the Yankees. Right-hander Freddy Peralta will start for the Rays.