BALTIMORE Clay Holmes didnt have much help behind him in , but he wasnt at the top of his game, either. The closer, who , blew his second save in his last four chances. The and Alex Verdugo, who both made fielding blunders in the bottom of the ninth that cost them the game. Yankees closer Clay Holmes delivers to the plate during his teams brutal 6-5 lo s to the Orioles on Sunday in Baltimore. Richaun Holmes Jersey Getty Images But Holmes was again not at his best in giving up three unearned runs in the gut-wrenching lo s heading into the All-Star break. As Aaron Boone put it, Clay did his job. He wasnt perfect, but he made enough pitches. Explore More Without the defensive breakdowns, the Yankees leave Baltimore with a three-game sweep, but Holmes also allowed two walks and a single before the miscues by Volpe and Verdugo. The closer called his lack of command, Not ideal. I didnt have my best stuff, but I did my best to compete out there, Holmes said. It makes things a little tougher. Clay Holmes looks toward home plate during the ninth inning on Sunday in Baltimore. USA TODAY Sports After a leadoff pinch-hit single by Kyle Stowers, he got Cole Cowser to ground into a force out. But Holmes followed by walking pinch-hitter Ryan OHearn to put the tying runs on base. See Also Holmes recovered to get Gunnar Henderson looking for the second out and then switch-hitter Adley Rutschman walked to load the bases before Volpe and Verdugos gaffes doomed him. A grounder to shortstop that Volpe called routine turned into an ugly error, when Volpes footwork got tangled up and he booted the ball to allow Cowser to score and make it a one-run game. Cedric Mullins Jr. then hit an opposite-field fly ball to left that Verdugo broke in on and was unable to recover. The ball landed over his head for a game-ending double. Those are two of our best defensive guys, Holmes said of Verdugo and Volpe. Volpes won a Gold Glove and is incredible. Same with [Verdugo]. He gives so much effort out there. Ill take him in left field over just about anybody. Theyre two tough plays, but we all know thats not them. It was a discouraging way for the Yankees and Holmes to end the first half. After a mostly dominant first 30 appearances, Holmes has been much le s effective over his last 10 outings. Hes allowed 13 hits, 12 runs eight earned in just 9 / innings. The two walks i sued Sunday were the first by Holmes during this rough stretch. Reggie Theus Jersey