Anthony Rizzo hit a key double in the 10th inning and brought in both runs for New York, helping the Yankees secure a playoff spot with a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.
Rizzo connected on the inning’s first pitch from reliever Collin Snider (3-4), sending the ball down the right-field line to score automatic runner Jasson Domínguez from second base. In the bottom half of the inning, Ian Hamilton held the lead after a strange baserunning mistake by Julio Rodríguez.
This postseason spot marks the 59th in Yankees history and their 25th playoff appearance in the last 30 years. With at least an American League wild-card secured, New York has made the playoffs six times in Aaron Boone’s seven seasons as manager.
“We’ve been through a lot already this year,” Boone said. “We understand it’s just a first step — but it’s an important one. We’re in the dance.”
As the first American League team to secure a playoff spot, the Yankees now lead second-place Baltimore by five games in the AL East with just 10 games left to play.
Seattle is still five games behind first-place Houston in the AL West and three games back of Minnesota for the last wild card spot in the league.
The Yankees only managed two hits against Seattle starter Bryce Miller, but Rizzo helped them get an early lead with a single in the second inning for his first RBI since September 2.
Miller struck out eight batters over six innings but allowed four walks (one intentional). After a shaky start, he escaped a bases-loaded situation in the third inning and retired the last 10 hitters he faced.
However, the Seattle offense couldn’t score against former Mariners pitcher Nestor Cortes, who gave up four hits and struck out six in six scoreless innings.
“Our goal is to win the division,” Cortes said. “I knew how important it was today for us to clinch. Last year we didn’t clinch, so having this opportunity to pitch in this game and be able to help out the guys to go out there and throw up zeros and win, it was everything for us today.”
Justin Turner tied the game at 1 with a home run in the eighth inning, marking Clay Holmes’ 13th blown save of the season, the most in the majors. This tied the team record set by Dave Righetti in 1987 and Hall of Famer Goose Gossage in 1983.
Cal Raleigh got a hit to start the bottom of the 10th, moving Rodríguez, the automatic runner, from second to third.
However, the Mariners’ star was caught off third base after dodging a bat that flew out of Randy Arozarena’s hands during a strikeout, resulting in a strange double play.
“Kind of a freak scenario there at the end with the bat coming down there and just kind of a reactionary thing,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. “It was a great ballgame on all fronts and a tough one to lose.”
Rodríguez thought the play would be stopped after the bat flew out of Arozarena’s hands, and he believed he could return to third base.
“I got away and turned my back to the field and I heard (third base coach) Manny (Acta) yelling, ‘Get back to third.’ That’s when I got back to third,” Rodríguez said.
“Honestly, at that moment I wasn’t really thinking about the game, just trying to get away from the bat coming at me.”
Turner then struck out to end the game. Hamilton earned his third career save and his first of the year. Luke Weaver (6-3) struck out four batters in 1 2/3 hitless innings to earn the win.
Mariners pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts, while Yankees pitchers struck out 14 batters.
