Red Sox can’t nail down the clincher

NEW YORK — Neil Walker hit a three-run homer, Zach Britton started a game-ending double play in the ninth inning and the Yankees kept the Red Sox from a bubbly celebration in the Bronx for at least another night with a 3-2 victory Tuesday.

Batting from the left side, Walker golfed a no-doubter in the seventh inning off Ryan Brasier for the Yankees’ third hit of the game and a 3-1 lead. Walker dropped his bat, admired the shot for a moment and then pointed into the Yankees dugout as he jogged to first base.

The game started about six hours after it was supposed to begin. It was pushed back earlier in the morning because heavy rain was in the forecast.

Aaron Judge returned to the Yankees’ lineup for the first time since breaking his right wrist July 26, while AL MVPcandidate Mookie Betts got a day off for the Red Sox after injuring his left side Sunday. Judge hit a fly to the warning track but finished 0for-4.

The Red Sox are trying to clinch the AL East at Yankee Stadium for the second time in three years. They lead the Yankees by 101⁄ games and entered the night with a magic number of four over the Astros to lock up baseball’s best record.

Britton had two on in the ninth after Brock Holt walked and Christian Vazquez reached when second baseman Gleyber Torres was unable to handle a wide feed from third on the first potential game-ending double play. Britton then scooped a short grounder by Sam Travis and threw it into center field with runners at first and third, allowing Holt to score. Ian Kinsler followed with an almost identical ball back to Britton, and the left-hander hit the target this time for the final two outs.