The Yankees got a clutch hit from Anthony Rizzo in the 10th inning and took advantage of another Mariners error on the bases to secure a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night in Seattle.
With the win, the Yankees secured a spot in the playoffs, and with the loss to the Orioles earlier in the evening, their magic number for capturing the AL East title is now six.
These are the main points…
-The game was won for the Yankees in the 10th after Rizzo hit an RBI double to lead New York and give it a 2-1 lead. It was Rizzo’s second RBI of the game after he hit a two-out single in the second inning to score Jasson Dominguez — who was running — stole second base and ended up on third base on a throwing error.
But in the bottom of the tenth inning, after the Mariners had gotten runners on the corners with no outs, Ian Hamilton crossed out Randy Arozarena swinging. The outfielder lost his bat, which spun toward third base where Julio Rodriguez was standing. The young outfielder went into foul territory to avoid the bat, but went too far, causing Austin Wells throw to Jazz Chisholm Jr. for the tag and the second out of the inning.
It was the second baserunning error at third base in as many games for the Mariners. Hamilton would let Justin Turner swing to end the game and earn his first save of the season.
-Despite the heroics of the final game, it was an ugly offensive game. The Yankees were 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base. They had just three hits and struck out a season-high 15 times — much of that was due to homeplate umpire Jim Wolf — but so was Seattle.
The Mariners had six hits, but were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 men. They also struck out 14 times.
-On a positive note, Nestor Cortes was up again, but his defense didn’t help him early on. Dominguez lost a long fly ball from Turner in the lights of air when he dropped the ball a few feet away from him on the warning track for a double. That hit had a 99 percent chance of catching, but Cortes would retreat and not let the runner score.
Cortes got into trouble in the fifth inning after allowing runners to reach the corners with two outs, but the left-handed pitcher got Arozarena to pop out to end the threat.
The Yankees left-hander would go six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out six batters. In his last seven outings (since August 13), Cortes now has a 1.58 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and .547 OPS.
-The bullpen would run into trouble in the seventh inning after Tommy Kahnle walked the first batter, but retired the next two batters. Clay Holmes was called to get the final out of the inning, but after a walk, the former Yankees closer Cal Raleigh to fly out.
Holmes wasn’t so lucky in the eighth. After retiring Arozarena, Holmes unleashed an 86-mph slider over the heart of the plate that Turner launched 390 feet just inside the left-field foul pole to tie the game at 1-1. It was Holmes’ 13th blown save of the season, which is the most by any MLB player.
Lucas Wever struck out four batters in his 1.2 innings and is quickly becoming the Yankees’ most dominant reliever.
–Gleyber Torres remained hitless (0-5), ending his streak of 17 games in which he reached base. Anthony Volpe returned to the lineup after catching his breath, but he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and failed to throw down a bunt in the 10th inning.
Soto was 1-for-2 with two hits, while Judge was 0-3 with one hit and three strikeouts.
Most Valuable Player of the Match: Anthony Rizzo
The veteran first baseman not only scored the Yankees’ only two runs, but also made some great interceptions at first base that helped some innings end well.
Highlights
What’s next?
The Yankees and Mariners conclude their three-game series on Thursday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
Clarke Schmidt (5-3, 2.41 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees with Logan Gilbert (7-11, 3.24 ERA) on the hump for Seattle.
