KANSAS CITY, Mo. The jigsaw puzzle came together just right. Four relief pitchers combined to get the final 13 outs Wednesday and allowed the score to stay tied long enough for Giancarlo Stantons decisive home run, giving the in Game 3 of the ALDS. Just complete confidence in them, Clarke Schmidt said after throwing the first 4 / innings. I think thats been one of our strengths, if not our main strength, the whole year. Luke Weaver lets out a sigh of relief after closing out the Yankees 3-2 win over the Royals in Game 3 of the ALDS on Oct. 9, 2024. Jason Szenes / New York Post Of the 13 outs that the bullpen recorded, only one was via strikeout a testament both to what makes the Royals such a scrappy opponent and to the surprisingly effective defense the Yankees have played despite having players out of position all acro s the diamond. Its not always going to be, I gue s, dominant, closer Luke Weaver said after notching the final five outs. Youre trying to change up your approaches as a pitcher, youre trying Cameron Reynolds Jersey to pitch them differently. But theres some really good players that are all over the field, so you just sometimes cro s your fingers. Explore More No luck needed here. The Yankees had the sixth-best bullpen ERA (3.62) during the regular season despite a cycle of injury-forced moving parts, but a case could be made that the group has never been stronger than now. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! The bullpen hasnt allowed an earned run in 13 / innings over the series. Weaver, who has become near-automatic since taking over the role in September, worked an anticlimactic ninth inning. The Royals last gasp hope, pinch-hitter Tommy Pham, grounded out on the first pitch of the final at-bat. Demoted closer Clay Holmes being used in an important role to clean up mid-inning me ses in the playoffs a la David Robertson of years gone by got maybe the biggest out when he stranded runners on the corners after the Royals scored two in the fifth inning. Holmes stayed in to work a 1-2-3 sixth inning with the score still tied 2-2. Tommy Kahnle (1-0) was just as good, retiring all four batters he faced, including the first out of the eighth. Clay Holmes picked up four big outs in the middle innings in the Yankees Game 3 win. Getty Images Shorten the game enough for Weave, manager Aaron Boone said. The bullpen was great. Weaver was greeted with a single through the left side by Bobby Witt Jr. Thats where a web gem entered the equation. Shortstop behind second base to rob Vinnie Pasquantino of a hit that likely wouldve put runners on first and third with one out. Tommy Kahnle picked up four key outs in the seventh and eighth innings in the Yankees Game 3 victory. Getty Images Runners advanced to the corners with two outs, anyway, but Weaver retired longtime Yankees nemesis Yuli Gurriel on a fly ball to center field. Thats why its so important getting a lead, Aaron Judge said. Theyre so electric.You got so many different guys that can match up well against different types of hitters. My hats off to them. Its just about getting the lead and throwing it to those guys. Thanasis Antetokounmpo Jersey