Did Jacoby Ellsbury’s awful night cost the Yankees a win?

Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury had a night to forget on Thursday against the Astros. But does he deserve all the blame?

The much-maligned 33-year-old Ellsbury needs a mulligan after his blunder-filled performance against the AL West-leading Houston Astros on Thursday evening.

It all began in the bottom of the first inning, as the Bleacher Creatures were still going through roll call. ‘Stros No. 2 hitter, Josh Reddick hit a dying quail headed for shallow center — Didi Gregorius did what all good shortstops do, and started for the ball.

Turning his back to the infield, Gregorius sprinted onto the outfield grass, hoping that the center fielder would take charge and call him off. Problem is, Ellsbury never did.

Perhaps the $153 million man didn’t get a good read on the ball off the bat, or maybe he thought Gregorius had a better angle to the popup than he — whatever the reason, Ellsbury never went full speed, and the ball fell in for a single.

Two batters later, Carlos Correa slammed a game-changing two-run homer.

Following the contest, Ellsbury spoke to the New York Post.

"“Looking back I probably should have called it, even though I would’ve had to slide,” Ellsbury said. “It’s a tough play.”More from Yankees NewsYankees top prospects butt heads after Giants’ gritty win over CommandersCC Sabathia defends Yankees’ massive Aaron Judge contractScott Boras closed Yankees-Carlos Rodón deal from Fenway Park, put cherry on topOrioles are bailing out Yankees and AL East by botching free agencyGuy who caught Aaron Judge record HR ball cost himself tons of money in auction"

Offensively, Ellsbury wasn’t much better, as he struck out in his first at-bat, and then weakly grounded into a double play in the third inning.

However, in the fifth inning, he did drive in the Yankees’ first run, by doing something he’s done 28 times before — draw catcher’s interference.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Ellsbury’s backswing made contact with former teammate Brian McCann‘s glove to erase starter Dallas Kuechel’s shutout.

Unfortunately, the rally soon came to a halt when Gary Sanchez bounced out to third.

Clearly, the Yankees as a whole continue to struggle with runners in scoring position. And on a night when scoring runs come at a premium because you’re facing a former Cy Young Award winner, capitalizing on the few opportunities that present itself is a must.

Fast forward to the final frame. With runners on second and third and two outs, Sanchez slapped a single to left field. Running on contact, Ellsbury was wheeling around third base, but Jake Marisnick, who came into the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning, gunned down the fleet-footed Ellsbury at home to put the game to rest.

On the play, Aaron Hicks scored easily to make the score 3-2. Would it have been wise for third base coach Joe Espada to play station to station ball, and hold Ellsbury — especially with Matt Holliday on deck? In retrospect, sure.

Manager Joe Girardi told The New York Times he was OK with the call because of the situation that presented itself.

"“You have to take that shot,” Manager Joe Girardi said. “It took a perfect throw to get him. If it’s less than two outs, you don’t do it. But it’s the right call, and he made a perfect throw.”"

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This isn’t the first questionable decision Espada has made, and it probably won’t be the last. Girardi had to stick up for his coach, but all it does is squarely put the brunt of the blame on the shoulders of Ellsbury. Even if he isn’t totally to blame for the loss.