The New York Yankees' playoff hopes took a devastating blow on Sunday as they suffered a stunning collapse against the Miami Marlins, losing 8-7 in a game they once led 7-1. The loss dropped the Yankees to a 1-8-3 record over their last 12 series and put them five games back of the final American League wild-card spot.

The Yankees entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a comfortable four-run lead, only to see closer Clay Holmes implode and allow five runs to score. Holmes, who had been solid in recent appearances, struggled to find his command and made a critical error on a potential game-ending double play. The Marlins capitalized on the Yankees' mistakes, with Jake Burger delivering the walk-off hit to secure the victory.

The loss was a gut-punch for the Yankees, who were desperate for some momentum to make a late-season run. The defeat not only hindered their chances of gaining ground in the playoff race but also dampened their spirits heading into a challenging series against the Atlanta Braves.

The collapse overshadowed another strong outing from ace Gerrit Cole, who left the game with a 7-2 lead after six innings. It was a familiar trend for Cole, as the Yankees have now lost seven games this season in which he started and allowed two runs or fewer. Despite his dominant performances, the lack of run support has plagued Cole and the team throughout the season.

The loss against the Marlins followed a similar pattern to the previous day's game, where the Yankees failed to capitalize on a nine-run outburst and fell to Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara's complete-game gem. Alcantara stifled the Yankees' offense, allowing just five singles and two walks while striking out 10.

The Yankees' inconsistent offense has been a recurring issue throughout the season, with the team struggling to build momentum after strong offensive performances. Since July, the Yankees have scored six runs or more 12 times, but in the next game following those outbursts, they have a dismal 2-10 record.

The defeat against the Marlins highlighted the Yankees' need for more reliable starting pitching options. With injuries depleting their rotation, the team turned to Michael King, who started the game as an opener before being relieved by Jhony Brito. Although King struggled early, Brito provided a solid outing, giving up just one run in five innings.

The Yankees are hoping to stretch out King's workload over the final two months of the season to provide more depth in their rotation. While he may not fully return to a starting role, the team believes King can offer more length than his previous short relief appearances.

Despite the crushing loss, the Yankees remain determined to bounce back and salvage their season. Manager Aaron Boone stressed the importance of quickly regaining focus and finding a way to get back on track. With the playoffs slipping further away, the Yankees will need to turn things around quickly if they hope to secure a spot in the postseason.