The New York Yankees’ postseason run came to an end after the Tampa Bay Rays swept them in the American League Division Series.
The series began on Oct. 3, where the Yankees struggled offensively, losing 1-0. Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen had a dominant performance and struck out 10 batters across eight scoreless innings.
Rasmussen was on track to a no-hitter until the eighth inning when Yankees’ Austin Wells broke it with a double. However, Wells attempted to stretch the hit into a triple and was thrown out at third base, getting rid of New York’s chance in scoring position.
Despite a strong game from Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, Jonathan Aranda was able to hit a home run and New York failed to generate offense to overcome the Rays’ one-run lead.
New York’s struggles continued into Game 2, where defensive mistakes led to a 5-2 defeat.
The Yankees made four errors, with three in the first inning. Third baseman Ryan McMahon mishandled a ground ball, allowing Yandy Díaz to reach third, before scoring on a wild throw by Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Yankees’ Ben Rice tied the game in the fourth inning with a solo home run. Yet, Tampa Bay regained control in the following inning.
Aranda opened the inning with a single before Junior Caminero doubled. Liam Hicks followed with an RBI groundout, allowing Aranda to score.
Chandler Simpson reached first base by fielder’s choice that brought Caminero home and brought the Rays to 3-1. Richie Palacios extended Tampa Bay’s lead with a two-run single, putting the Rays at 5-1.
Rice hit his second home run of the game, but it was not enough to close the deficit for the Yankees.
Facing elimination, New York returned to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 on Oct. 7.
The Rays struck first as Aranda hit an RBI single to bring home Jonny DeLuca. Rice responded with an RBI single, allowing Spencer Jones to score and tie the game.
Tampa Bay’s Ryan Vilade homered to bring them up 2-1, but Jones tied it up with an RBI double to bring home Anthony Volpe. Victor Mesa Jr. launched a two-run home run, giving the Rays a 4-2 advantage.
At the bottom of the sixth inning, Volpe hit what was initially ruled as a game-tying two-run home run.
However, replay review determined that there was fan interference. The call was overturned, giving Volpe an RBI double and cutting the gap to 4-3.
The Yankees were in scoring position with a chance to tie, but Jones struck out to end the inning, failing to score again.
The loss crushed New York’s hopes of capturing their first World Series title since 2009. As for the Rays, they advanced to their first American League Championship Series since 2020 against the Cleveland Guardians.
