Diving defense does in Yanks

HOUSTON — The Astros used seven pitchers to hold the Yankees to a pair of runs in their ALCS-clinching, 6-4 win over the Yankees on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park, but it was the gloves of Josh Reddick and Michael Brantley that also played a pivotal role.

Known throughout the season for their outfield defense, the Astros got two key plays to help get them to their second World Series in three years.

With the Yankees down by a run in the top of the sixth, they got a one-out walk from Gary Sanchez then a single by Gio Urshela to bring up Brett Gardner.

Gardner ripped a low liner to right, where Reddick made a diving — albeit awkward — catch to rob Gardner of an extra-base hit that would have at least tied the game and perhaps given the Yankees the lead. Instead, it was the second out of the

inning and DJ LeMahieu grounded to shortstop to end the inning — and the Yankees’ last best chance to get back in the game.

But the Yankees nearly put a scare into the Astros again in the top of the seventh, this time trailing by two runs.

Aaron Judge opened the inning with a liner that bounced off a leaping Carlos Correa’s glove at short for a leadoff single.

Gleyber Torres popped out to bring up Aaron Hicks, who lofted a fly ball to shallow left.

With the switch-hitting Hicks batting from the left side, the Astros shifted to their right and Hicks’ flare looked like it would drop.

Judge risked it and bolted around second, but Michael Brantley raced in and made a fantastic diving catch, quickly got to his feet and fired a strong throw to Yuli Gurriel at first base to double off Judge.

“Our defense was incredible,’’ A.J. Hinch said. “Brantley’s catch — I was watching him — I didn’t even think about the throw when he dove. He doesn’t dive head first very often. If that doesn’t tell you what playoff baseball is all about: To bounce up and throw a bullet to first base, nice play by Yuli on the other end, that wasn’t an easy play. We just continued to take opportunities away from them defensively.”

Instead of a potential second and third, one out situation, the inning was over — and so were the Yankees.