Yankees Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes dominate again to close out Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— It was Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver at the end Thursday night, finishing up the Yankees’ ALDS clinching 3-1 win over the Royals in Game 4 and completing a nearly perfect performance in the series from a bullpen that, at this point, is likely as strong as any remaining in the postseason.“We’ve always been confident with ourselves there,’’ Holmes said of the pen.

“We got a little rest [at the end of the regular season] and it did us good.Now, we’re all together and we’ve got to keep it up.”Over the course of the series, Yankee relievers combined to pitch 15 ²/₃ innings without allowing an earned run and Weaver has seemingly cemented his role as closer.“We always believed we were good enough,’’ Holmes said of the pen.

“We had ups and downs, but it’s good to see when we’re needed the most, guys have been at their best.”After Holmes got Michael Massey and Bobby Witt Jr.to end the bottom of the eighth, Weaver entered and retired Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez and Yuli Gurriel to help send the Yankees to the ALCS.“We’ve been fighting to get better all year and for me, it’s been a hard road to get here,’’ Weaver said.

“It’s hard to believe when you’re the guy getting the final out.”Weaver and Holmes have been through dips in their careers, as well as this season.But each has emerged as a late-game weapon for Aaron Boone.“We’re set up so well down there now,’’ Boone said.“So many guys are throwing it well that it gives us a lot of options, which is important this time of year.”Weaver keeps getting the last out, but Holmes continues to be an October stopper, extending his playoff scoreless streak to 13 innings over 10 appearances.He lost his closer role earlier in the season but has become one of the most important parts of the Yankees’ postseason pen.“Things haven’t gone perfectly, and I can accept that,” Holmes said prior to the game.

“Sometimes, it’s not perfect, and I c...