Yankees’ defeat means wild-card race tightens up
Gary Sánchez 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 wild-card lead got even tighter with a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night in New York.
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.
New York needed a win plus a loss by either Boston or Seattle to clinch its fifth straight playoff appearance. Instead, the Yankees fell short against the AL East champion Rays in the opener of a season-ending three-game series.
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. His hit came a few pitches after he missed a three-run homer by lining a ball a few feet foul in left.
RED SOX 4, NATIONALS 2 >> Hunter Renfroe and Bobby Dalbec hit back-to-back homers during a four-run sixth inning and visiting Boston beat Washington to remain in postseason position. Boston won for the second time in seven games and will maintain at least a tie for the second AL wild card. Eduardo Rodriguez (12-8) pitched scoreless ball into the sixth inning. Hansel Robles walked Juan Soto and Josh Bell with two outs in the ninth 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 host Toronto kept its playoff hopes alive. The Orioles put a scare into the Blue Jays 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. URIAS GOES FOR NO. 20 >> Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías is the only pitcher in baseball with a shot at 20 wins this season, and he’ll try to earn it today in a showdown against NL Cy Young Award contender Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers. Urías (19-3, 3.01) hasn’t lost since June 21, and Los Angeles has won each of his past 10 outings dating to Aug. 1. He’s 7-0 with a 1.81 ERA in that span. Burnes (11-4, 2.29) leads the majors in ERA.