The Tampa Bay Rays celebrated again in New York. The Tampa Bay team defeated the New York Yankees 4-3 this Wednesday in the third game of the American League Division Series (ALDS) and left its division rival out of the playoffs.
Closer Bryan Baker ended the game by striking out Trent Grisham with the tying run on second base. Baker thus earned his third save of the series, after coming into action behind starter Nick Martinez and four other relievers.
The difference was made by rookie Victor Mesa Jr., who hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning. The hit left the stadium and caused the departure of Yankees starter Max Fried, who allowed four earned runs and seven hits in 5.2 innings.
“We deserved this because we wanted it more,” Mesa declared after the victory.
With this victory, the Rays return to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2020. They now await the winner of the series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox.
New York had a chance to tie the game in the sixth inning, when Anthony Volpe hit a two-run homer. However, the play was overturned after referees determined there was fan interference.
The elimination prolongs the drought for the Yankees, who have not won a World Series since 2009, despite having played in the playoffs in 13 of the last 17 seasons.
“The ending is terrible. This time of year there’s only one team that’s going to go home happy,” manager Aaron Boone lamented after the loss.
