Boone’s decision, like most he’s made these days, backfired with Williams allowing two runs to send the Yankees to a fifth straight loss in their 2-0 setback. Williams is now 3-4 with a ghastly 5.44 ERA and has allowed runs in six of eight appearances in the second half, including four straight, to post a 9.39 ERA in this stretch.

Boone went with Williams for the eighth because he was saving David Bednar to pitch the ninth if the Yankees went ahead, or in a tie go with Mark Leiter Jr., who just came off the injured list Tuesday. Why Williams there? Besides blowing saves in his last two outings, he’d pitched to a 7.71 ERA in seven appearances since July 19.