Yanks’ rally fails; wild card tightens
NEW YORK — Gary Sanchez and Rougned Odor both struck out with two runners on to blunt a ninth-inning rally, and the New York Yankees’ lead atop the AL wildcard standings got even tighter with a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
The Yankees’ edge fell to one game over Boston and two games over Toronto after those contenders each won. Seattle was two games back of New York going into the night.
The Yankees lost for the second time in 10 games. Rookie Wander Franco gave the Rays a 4-1 lead by chopping a grounder up the middle for a two-run single in the ninth.
Rays reliever Andrew Kittredge allowed Giancarlo Stanton’s one-out double and a bunt RBI single by Joey Gallo. Brett Gardner followed by singling home a run before Kittredge fanned Sanchez and Odor for his eighth save.
RED SOX 4, NATIONALS 2: Hunter Renfroe and Bobby Dalbec hit back-to-back homers during a four-run sixth inning, and Boston maintained its playoff position with a win at Washington. Eduardo Rodriguez (12-8) pitched scoreless ball into the sixth, allowing five fits. Hansel Robles walked Juan Soto and Josh Bell before retiring Keibert Ruiz for his 13th save.
BLUE JAYS 6, ORIOLES 4: Steven Matz pitched seven solid innings to win his fifth straight decision, Danny Jansen homered and drove in three runs, and Toronto won at home to keep its playoff hopes alive. Baltimore put a scare into Toronto with a four-run eighth, but closer Jordan Romano limited the damage as he got the final five outs for his 23rd save in 24 chances.
INDIANS 9, RANGERS 4: Austin Hedges and Bobby Bradley homered, Jose Ramirez drove in three runs, and rookie Eli Morgan won his third straight start as Cleveland drubbed host Texas. Cleveland, playing the final series with the name it’s used since 1915, must win its two remaining games to avoid its first losing record since 2012. The team will be called the Guardians next season.
METS 4, BRAVES 3: Brandon Nimmo hit two solo home runs, Tylor Megill allowed one hit in five scoreless innings, and visiting New York ended NL East champion Atlanta’s six-game winning streak. Atlanta played just three regulars: second baseman Ozzie Albies, left fielder Eddie Rosario and Austin Riley.
PHILLIES 5, MARLINS 0: Bryce Harper had three hits including his 35th homer, Ranger Suarez pitched seven scoreless innings, and Philadelphia won at Miami. Putting the finishing touches on a possible MVP season, Harper had an RBI double in the third and hit an opposite-field solo homer off a 99 mph fastball from Sandy Alcantara (9-15) in the fifth.
PIRATES 9, REDS 2: Second baseman Cole Tucker made a spectacular diving catch, then hit his first career grand slam to cap an eight-run rally in the eighth inning that sent Pittsburgh to a home victory. Tucker’s slam off Dauri Moreta came a night after the Pirates lost their 100th game of the season.