A mistake more than once is a decision. Who knew Paulo Coehlo’s words would end up ringing true on a Tuesday at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. When the Yankees entered play vs the Cincinnati Reds, only two outcomes were expected: A win, or a loss. However, by the end of the night, it was clear that a third major storyline had already erupted—thanks to a controversial incident precisely before the bottom of the ninth inning.

Initially ticked off about a pitch from Lyon Richardson being low in the zone on a 2-0 count that was called a strike in the top half, Jazz Chisholm Jr did what was perhaps the only solution left in front of him. Complain. As he continued arguing with plate umpire Mark Wegner, even leaving the batter’s box at one point, Yankees captain Aaron Judge also walked out together as the Bahamian player made his way to third base.

However, the last straw came when Chisholm continued talking. Wegner held up his hand and immediately ejected the player—his second time this season. The first instance was during a 6-3 victory over Tampa Bay in April. Jr was first ejected for arguing over a called third by home plate umpire John Bacon, followed by a one-game suspension the next day owing to a social media callout where he reiterated his point with, “Not even [expletive] close!!!!!”. As per MLB.com‘s Bryan Hoch, the 27-year-old also received an “undisclosed fine for his conduct, including his violation of MLB’s Social Media Policy for Major League players”.

While Chisholm’s energetic stance was initially termed as a breath of fresh air in an otherwise regimented Yankees’ clubhouse, it appears that his flamboyance might be causing more harm to his clubhouse than to opponents. And, no. It’s not us saying this, but Yankees announcer Michael Kay who didn’t mince words on the MLB star’s behavior. “Jazz Chisholm just got thrown out, and really, he has nobody to blame but himself,” Michael Kay pointed out, before adding:

“I know he didn’t like the call, but he has been chirping at Wegner. Aaron Judge, between innings, walked him out to the field to try to calm him down. And he would not stop screaming at Wegner about that 2-0 pitch. And you always tell me, Paul, ‘Heat of the moment’. But this is far after the heat of the moment. He got himself thrown out, but Wegner gave him a lot of leash.” However, if you ask Chisholm Jr, he still maintains there was absolutely nothing to be ejected about.

Talking after the team’s 5-4 loss in 11 innings, the player revealed exactly what he said right after the call: “That’s not a strike.” Chisholm also mentioned that he was yelling at himself on his way to the third base. “When I looked and realized he was looking at me, I looked at him and said, ‘Why are you looking at me?’ That’s when I get tossed. I didn’t get tossed for saying nothing crazy. I didn’t get tossed for saying, ‘Oh, that was a bad pitch.’ I got tossed for saying, ‘Why are you looking at me?’ I don’t think that’s a good reason to toss anybody.”

This time, Aaron Boone also seemed unhappy with how things piled up. “I don’t want him getting tossed there,” Boone said. “I want me to get tossed there in those situations.”

Nevertheless, this is still something unwanted when the team already has other concerning areas.

The Yankees’ extra-inning woes continue

Well, the Yankees dropped yet another close one on Tuesday. This was their ninth loss in the last 12 games, after scoring just 34 runs over that span. At the end of the 11th inning, Gavin Lux came off the bench and delivered a pinch-hit, bases-loaded single to seal the walk-off win for Cincinnati.

The game against the Reds saw the Yankees putting five men within the infield. But the trick didn’t pay off. It was a below-par outing first by Mark Leiter Jr. and then by Jonathan Loaisiga.

The only bright point from the game was Carlos Rodon. In his second scoreless start, he took 4 hits, a walk in six innings, and 5 SOs. Currently, Rodon is standing with a 2.92 ERA, solidifying his role as a closer. But after that? It’s all going downwards for the team.

After Leiter’s rough outing, Loaisiga conceded a walk and 3 hits in the seventh inning. That’s what eventually tied the Yankees 3-0 lead. But the bullpen couldn’t hold it together.

You may be aware that the Yankees are piling up home runs this year led by Aaron Judge. But there are a few unwanted records also getting tagged with the team. For instance, the Yankees are currently standing at a 1-6 record when it comes to extra-inning games this season. You can imagine how the team is faltering below the game.

While the Yankees are highly likely to get into the postseason, dwindling closures might prove challenging when it matters most.