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Yankees fans boo Aroldis Chapman off the mound after he throws 16 balls in 19 pitches

Jason Owens
·Staff writer

Aroldis Chapman did not have his best stuff for Saturday’s subway series tilt between the New York Yankees and New York Mets.

The Yankees closer took the mound in the top of the ninth in possession of a seemingly comfortable 7-3 lead. Nineteen pitches later, Chapman had walked three batters, given up one hit and recorded exactly zero outs while allowing three earned runs.

Aroldis Chapman can’t find strike zone in ninth

Chapman threw 16 balls in those 19 pitches, including 11 straight. He plunked Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo with his final pitch to force in a run and mercifully end his meltdown on the mound.

Yankees fans then let him hear about it. The home faithful booed Chapman as he walked off the mound to give way for reliever Chasen Shreve.

Aroldis Chapman left Saturday’s game against the Mets to a serenade of jeers from the Yankees home crowd after failing to record a ninth-inning out. (AP)
Aroldis Chapman left Saturday’s game against the Mets to a serenade of jeers from the Yankees home crowd after failing to record a ninth-inning out. (AP)

Yankees fans rain boos despite Chapman’s stellar season

Never mind that Chapman is having an otherwise outstanding season, posting a 1.35 ERA and .825 WHIP with 68 strikeouts in 40 innings en route to 26 saves and an All-Star nod prior to Saturday’s disaster. What mattered to Yankees fans Saturday was Chapman not putting on a good show for the outing they had paid to see.

Shreve stepped up to record his first save since 2016, recording three outs with no hits or walks after inheriting Chapman’s bases-loaded mess in the Yankees’ 7-6 win.

Chapman says he’s OK

Chapman told YES Network after the game that there was nothing physically wrong with him.

“I feel good,” Chapman said via translator. “It’s just a bad outing, that’s all. … My arm feels good. Nothing to worry about.”

If Chapman’s struggles do turn out to be something more serious, the Yankees may end up looking to add bullpen help after missing out on Brad Hand.

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