Congratulations to the Yankees, who clinched a spot in the American League Wild Card game with a 4-1 victory over the Red Sox tonight at Yankee Stadium. It was a cold and rainy night in the Bronx, so not many people were there to witness it in person, but the Yankees are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
CC Sabathia held Boston’s offense in check by allowing one run over five innings of work. The lone run scored on an RBI single from Mookie Betts in the fifth inning. Adam Warren followed with three scoreless innings before Dellin Betances tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning to lock down the victory. Appropriately enough, this was the 10,000th win in franchise history.
The Yankees plated two runs against Rich Hill in the second inning, including a solo home run from Carlos Beltran and an RBI single by Brendan Ryan. Rookies Greg Bird and Rob Refsynder added some insurance with solo homers in the seventh and eighth innings.
While the Yankees have secured a Wild Card spot, they could clinch homefield with another win tomorrow or a loss by the Astros. The Wild Card game will take place next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET. It’s still unclear who their opponent will be.