The Tampa Bay Rays tied their ticket to the Major League playoffs last night, while the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers to displace the Toronto Blue Jays for the second wild card in the American League.
Slugger Kevin Kiermaier was hit by the pitcher and Cubans Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena had an offensive night out as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Blue Jays 7-1.
Reliever Ryan Borucki hit Kiermaier on the back with his first pitch in the eighth inning, as the Rays were already leading 7-1.
Slugger Austin Meadows hit a three-run homer during a six-touchdown attack in the third inning by AL East leading Tampa (94-59).
It is the third time in a row that the Rays have advanced to the playoffs.
The Rays are the reigning champions of the American League. Last year they lost in the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. In 2008 they also lost in the World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Starting pitcher JT Chargois (6-1) was victorious. The setback went to Ross Stripling (5-7).
For the Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 3-2 and Cuban Lourdes Gurriel 4-1. Meanwhile, for the Rays, the Cubans Arozarena 5-3 with two runs, Díaz 3-2 with two RBIs and Manuel Margot and Francisco Mejía, 4-1 with one scored and 4-2 with one scored, respectively.
– Yankees displace Blue Jays –
In New York, the New York Yankees completed the sweep over the Texas Rangers by beating them 7 × 3, thanks to a double by Venezuelan Gleyber Torres in the eighth inning.
Gary Sanchez followed with a two-run homer and took home the second wild-card spot in the American League for the time being, as the Blue Jays, who lost to the Rays, trailed midgame behind the New York team.
The Yankees’ wild card chase leads them into a difficult compromise at Fenway Park on Friday against the Boston Red Sox, owners of the first wildcard ticket.
The Yankees will then have a confrontation precisely against the Blue Jays, a duel that will surely define who permanently gets the precious postseason visa. Then they close out against the qualifying Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees won their third straight game after a losing streak of 7-15.
Catcher Sanchez hit his 23rd home run of the season. Reliever Chad Green (9-7) pitched a scoreless eighth to score the win and Cuban closer Aroldis Chapman finished the ninth. (AFP)
We expect to be here. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/Jcwt4TIG9L
– Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 22, 2021