Yankees’ starting pitcher Will Warren did a solid job at keeping the game as close as possible. Through six innings on the hump, Warren allowed just one base runner in the first four innings, and allowed two runs on two hits for five strikeouts.

Heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Yankees were in a tight-knit 2-2 battle with Detroit.

But after 91 pitches, skipper Aaron Boone opted to go to his bullpen which has been inconsistent for the most part of the season.

Once Fernando Cruz stepped onto the field...

Total implosion.

Yankees’ fans nightmares came true with Cruz facing five batters and neglecting to record an out. Cruz was marked for five earned runs which turned the game into a 7-2 lead for the Tigers, and Mark Leiter Jr. put the game even more out of reach with four earned runs.

In their 100-plus year history, it was the first time that two Yankee relievers allowed more than four runs in an inning without recording an out.

Costing the game isn’t a new situation for the Yankees. Supposed closer Devin Williams, who was acquired in the offseason from the Milwaukee Brewers has been a disaster, beginning the season with an ERA of over 6.50 for the first two months of the season.

While his struggles have quieted down, he’s still maintained a 5.50 ERA, which is a far cry from his career 1.83 ERA in his first six seasons with the Brewers.

When asked after the game about his decisions to ride with his bullpen, Boone affirmed his confidence in his ‘pen.

"We have the guys down there to get it done," Boone said. "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."

Of course it’s a tactic not to kick his players when they’re down, what else is he supposed to say? But this is an all too familiar scenario for Boone in his tenure as the Yankee skipper.

Despite making the World Series last season, managing his bullpen has not been his strong suit.

New York’s in a solid position to stay in the playoff hunt, with a 3.5 game lead over the Texas Rangers, who are outside of the Wild Card race.

There’s always a clear opportunity for the Yankees to take on the American League division lead against the Toronto Blue Jays, but with less than a month left, New York’s best opportunity is to clinch the top spot in the Wild Card.

The problem for the Yankees is to manage their bullpen in a proper way. This team will only go as far as Boone lets them with his decision making.