Thu Sep 11 01:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Yankees Collapse in Catastrophic 7th, Tigers Pounce to 12-2 Victory

**NEW YORK** – What began as a tight, potential playoff preview for six innings quickly devolved into a nightmare for the New York Yankees Tuesday night, as the Detroit Tigers exploded for nine runs in the seventh inning to secure a 12-2 victory.

The Yankees bullpen imploded in spectacular fashion, with relievers Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. failing to record a single out between them while allowing a combined nine earned runs. According to ESPN Research, they are the first pair of major league teammates since 2003 to each face at least four batters without retiring one.

The seventh inning saw a confluence of walks, hits, and defensive miscues plague the Yankees. Cruz, who had been a reliable arm since returning from the injured list, walked three and allowed a single and a double before being pulled. Leiter Jr. fared no better, giving up a two-run triple and walking a batter. The Tigers tallied their nine runs on just five hits, but capitalized on five walks (one intentional) and a hit batter.

“Sometimes it doesn’t go your way,” Cruz said after the game. “It’s just one of those nights that we just need to forget. Come back tomorrow and do your job.”

The loss, coupled with the Toronto Blue Jays’ victory over the Houston Astros, pushes the Yankees three games behind Toronto for the AL East lead. The Blue Jays also hold the tiebreaker, effectively making the division lead a four-game margin with only 18 games remaining in the regular season. Detroit’s win improved their record to 83-62, keeping them a half-game behind the Blue Jays for the top spot in the American League standings.

Starter Will Warren, who pitched six innings and held the Tigers to two runs, expressed disbelief at the sudden turn of events. “It’s tough,” Warren said. “I don’t know what to say. I haven’t seen anything like that before.”

While the seventh inning was an extreme aberration, the Yankees’ bullpen has struggled since the trade deadline, posting a 5.05 ERA since August 1st, ranking 27th in the majors. Manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic, stating, “We have the guys down there to get it done. We just got to sync it up. Tonight’s a tough night, but it doesn’t change a lot of the good things that have happened in some of these games we’ve been able to close out.”

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