Yankees clinch Postseason berth in final home stand

The Yankees completed their final regular-season homestand in the Bronx, winning two of three games, respectively, from the Red Sox and Orioles.

Against the Red Sox on Monday, JA Happ took the bump and provided the Yankees with another solid start: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. An unearned sac fly from the Sox in the third accounted for the teams’ only run through most of the game.

Neil Walker’s clutch three-run bomb gave the Yanks a late lead in the seventh inning. The bullpen kept the lead steady, but sloppy defense, including two errors in the ninth, narrowed the lead to one run. Zach Britton was finally able to induce an inning-ending double play to secure the series-opening victory with a final of 3-2.

In Tuesday’s game, the bats came alive as the Yankees blew out the Sox in an offensive eruption. Luke Voit knocked in three RBIs on two homers, while Miguel Andújar hit a solo shot.

Two runs scored on a fielding error, and three RBIs from Aaron Hicks and one from Greg Bird accounted for the rest of the scoring.

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Luis Severino completed another strong outing: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. Justus Sheffield made his MLB debut and despite looking shaky, ended the game unscathed. The Yankees won the series with the 10-1 win.

Wednesday’s game yielded a much more unfortunate result. Masahiro Tanaka made the start and had his worst outing in weeks: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. Though the Yanks put forth a solid offensive effort (a Voit two-run homer and Stanton grand slam), the pitching could not contain the Sox. Chad Green allowed two runs and blew the save, while Aroldis Chapman gave up three runs. Collectively, Yankees pitchers allowed five home runs, resulting in an 11-6 loss.

Though the Red Sox clinched the AL East title following the series finale, the Yankees kept their chins high as they headed into the series with Baltimore.

C.C. Sabathia pitched the opener, granting the Yanks a quality start: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K. The offense offered another impressive performance. Didi Gregorius’ two-run blast gave the team an early lead.

Gleyber Torres, Austin Romine, Andrew McCutchen, Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks (two-run homer) and Voit all scored runs. However, the bullpen again had some issues maintaining the steady lead. Jonathan Loaisiga allowed two runs — A.J. Cole three. David Robertson gave up a home run, forcing a save situation. Fortunately, Dellin Betances was able to lock down the save to secure a 10-8 win.

Saturday’s game was much closer. The Yankees only scored two runs through 10 innings with two solo shots by Voit and Hicks, respectively. Lance Lynn started and limited the O’s offense: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

The bullpen held the O’s at two runs through the next six innings, as the clubs headed into extra innings. Hicks delivered the 11th inning walk-off double to secure the 3-2 win, and the Yankees celebrated, clinching a Postseason berth.

Sunday’s loss ended in disappointing fashion. J.A. Happ made the start for the finale: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER,2 BB, 7 K. The offense scored all three runs in the first inning with RBIs from Torres, Andújar, and Sanchez.

Again, however, the bullpen struggled in Happ’s relief. Cole had a disastrous outing, allowing back-to-back homers, which scored three runs total. Tommy Kahnle and Luis Cessa allowed one run each. With the offense unable to rebound, the Yanks lost the finale 6-3.

The Yankees are now guaranteed a spot in the Postseason, but the race for home-field advantage against the A’s continues. They travel to Tampa to face the Rays in a four-game set beginning Monday, then onto to Boston for the final three-game series of the regular season.

With only seven games remaining, the Yankees hope to finish strong and fight for their best chances in the playoffs.