A replay confirms advance by Boston
NEW YORK — Craig Kimbrel and the Red Sox held off the Yankees’ ninth-inning rally that ended with a video replay, eliminating New York with a 4-3 victory Tuesday that set up a postseason rematch with the World Series champion Astros.
Trailing in Game 4 of the AL Division Series, the Yankees scored twice in the ninth and had runners at first and second with two outs. Gleyber Torres hit a slow roller that third baseman Eduardo Nuñez charged and threw in a hurry.
Boston first baseman Steve Pearce used an excellent stretch to make the catch that nipped Torres. The Yankees immediately challenged and, with a sellout crowd standing and hoping, the out call was upheld after a 63-second review.
J.D. Martinez and the 108win Red Sox reached the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2013. A year after losing to Houston in a four-game ALDS, they will open the best-of-seven matchup against the 103-win Astros on Saturday night at Fenway Park. Rookie Boston manager Alex Cora was Houston’s bench coach last October.
“We’re ready for another shot,” Boston pitcher Rick Porcello said.
A New Jersey native who grew up a Mets fan, Porcello held the Yankees to one run over five innings for his first postseason win. Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier followed with a perfect inning each to protect a 4-1 lead, and Chris Sale followed with a 1-2-3 eighth in a rare relief appearance.
New York had not put a leadoff hitter on base until Kimbrel, a seven-time All-Star closer, walked Aaron Judge on four pitches to open the bottom of the ninth.
Didi Gregorius singled and Giancarlo Stanton struck out, dropping to 4-for-18 with no RBIs in the series. Luke Voit walked on four pitches, and Kimbrel hit Neil Walker on the leg with his next pitch, forcing in a run.
Gary Sanchez fell behind 0-2 in the count, worked it full and sent a drive that had the crowd roaring only for Andrew Benintendi to catch it on the left-field warning track, a few feet short of a game-ending grand slam.
Torres followed with the dramatic bouncer that led to one of 21st century baseball’s strangest sights — a team unsure whether to celebrate, its direction depending on a decision from the replay room in downtown Manhattan.