Context:

Devin Williams, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the New York Yankees, has struggled early in the season with a 10.03 ERA over his first 14 games but showed signs of a comeback during a recent game against the San Diego Padres. In a tense 10th inning, he managed to strike out Padres star Xander Bogaerts, escaping a bases-loaded jam and securing a critical 4-3 win for the Yankees. This performance prompted NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch to assert that Williams will remain a key player for the Yankees for the rest of the season, signaling a turnaround for his career. Despite his rocky start, Williams' historical performance of a 1.66 ERA over the past three seasons suggests he can return to form. The Yankees, facing broader team issues, need Williams to fulfill his potential as an elite pitcher they invested in during the offseason.

Dive Deeper:

• Devin Williams began the season with a poor performance, sporting a 10.03 ERA over his initial 14 games, which was unexpected given his previous three-season ERA of 1.66.

• In a critical game against the San Diego Padres, Williams was put in a challenging situation during the 10th inning due to the extra-innings rule, which starts with a runner on second base.

• Despite loading the bases with two outs, Williams successfully struck out Xander Bogaerts on a 3-2 changeup, which was a pivotal moment in the Yankees' eventual 4-3 victory.

• The emotional reaction from Williams after the strikeout indicated a significant personal relief and confidence, potentially marking a shift in his season performance.

• Bob Klapisch from NJ.com predicted that Williams will remain with the Yankees for the rest of the season, viewing his recent successful outing as a turning point in his tenure with the team.

• The Yankees are experiencing issues on both offense and defense, increasing the urgency for Williams to perform at an elite level as anticipated when he was acquired.

• Kevin Hickey, who reported on Williams' situation, has a background in sports journalism and is known for his work with USA Today and as a fantasy football analyst.

• The New York Yankees are hoping Devin Williams has found his groove.

• Following an abysmal start to the season that included a 10.03 ERA through his first 14 games (11.2 innings), Williams finally began to show strides of his former self.

• During an intense battle with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, the Yankees turned to Williams in the top of the 10th inning in hopes of holding a 3-3 tie.

• With a runner on second base to begin the inning due to the extra-innings rule, Williams put himself in a difficult jam by loading the bases with two outs.

• However, he got Padres star Xander Bogaerts to strike out swinging on a 3-2 changeup. He let out an emotional scream as he walked off the mound, clearly a sign a relief after a tumultuous start.

• Following the 4-3 win thanks to J.C. Escarra's sac fly, Bob Klapisch of NJ.com made an emphatic prediction about Williams' future with the team.

• "You didn’t have to be a genius to interpret the rush of primal emotions: conquest, relief and a big, fat middle finger to the legion of haters who’d like nothing more than to dump Williams on the Brewers’ front lawn," Klapisch wrote. "But there’s no turning back now. Williams will be in Pinstripes for the rest of the season. That’s why his post-game proclamation was more than standard post-game propaganda.

• "No, Williams is certain his Yankee career, however long it lasts, has been officially rescued."

• The two-time All-Star has had a baffling start to the season, especially considering Williams posted a 1.66 ERA over the last three seasons combined.

• The Yankees have enough issues on both sides of the ball to the point where they need Williams to step up and be the elite thrower they acquired this offseason.