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Dellin Betances on his nightmarish September: ‘My mechanics are off’

 

Only six games separate the Yankees from the conclusion of the regular season, and the time for a vacation couldn’t come any sooner for Dellin Betances.

The Yankees closer continued his September nightmare on Monday night in Toronto, failing to record an out against only three Blue Jays hitters with a four-run lead in the ninth inning.

Betances, who allowed only one earned run and seven hits for an 0.68 ERA in August, has seen his numbers drop tenfold, as his September ERA has climbed to 10.80 after surrendering 10 earned runs on 11 hits in his last 8.1 innings of work.

Manager Joe Girardi believes Betances’s issues are simply mechanical, and that shutting the right-hander down for the remainder of the season isn’t necessary.

“I don’t think that’s a good thing to do, just because he needs to get out on some good notes,” Girardi told the New York Post. “I think he’s a little frustrated, but we’ll get that ironed out. He’s been through this before.”

While Betances isn’t pleased with his recent performances, the 28-year-old has been able to cope with his mistakes, due to a taxing minor league journey he encountered years ago.

“This is not the first time that I’ve gone through this,” Betances said. “Obviously, I haven’t done it at the big league level, but I overcame a lot before. I know I can do it right now.”

Following the trades of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller in early August, Betances officially assumed the role of closer, and has been credited for two losses and two blown saves since. But Betances isn’t concerned about his throwing motion, fortitude, or fielding errors, and refuses to let those blunders shape his persona on the mound.

“Right now, it feels like my mechanics are off,” Betances said. “I’m not gonna carry it over to next season. I don’t want to pitch the way I’m pitching, [but] it’s part of the game.”

According to Girardi, Betances will not be made available for Tuesday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.