The top Yankees victories of the 2010s

9. vs. Boston Red Sox (September 28, 2016 @ Yankee Stadium)– This game on paper, was essentially meaningless. The 2016 Yankees’ season was pretty much done at this point. After coming off a disastrous 3-8 road trip that put the final nail in the coffin, the Yankees returned home to play the final six games of the regular season, with the first three coming against their hated rivals. One positive about this series for the Yanks was that it’d be the last time they’d have to deal with David Ortiz in a Sox’ uniform. But other than that, things were looking bleak.

Boston was lined up to win the American League East title and to do it at Yankee Stadium would make it that much sweeter. In this second game of a three-game series, the Yankee offense was a no-show through eight innings. Boston scored three runs in the top of the eighth to jump out in front. In the bottom of the ninth, the scoreboard showed that the Orioles had beaten the Blue Jays, thus making it official that the Sox won the division.

They were all set and ready to jump around the field and celebrate. However, their closer, Craig Kimbrel, was wild. Kimbrel allowed a leadoff single to Brett Gardner and then walked the next three batters, which brought Gardner home and got the Yankees on the board. Red Sox’ skipper John Farrell replaced Kimbrel with Joe Kelly.

Kelly struck out Starlin Castro for the first out, which brought Mark Teixeira to the plate with the game on the line. Teixeira, who was playing the final games of his career, crushed the ball to right-center field. Boston outfielders Jackie Bradley and Mookie Betts chased after the descending ball but to no avail. It landed in the Yankees’ bullpen for a walk-off grand slam. Teixeira trotted around the bases with his arms spread out. The Yankees surrounded home plate and doused him with a well-deserved Gatorade shower. It was the 409th and final home run of Teixeira’s career. The stunned Red Sox quietly and tamely celebrated their division win in the dugout with hugs and high-fives.

Analysis: This was a very enjoyable victory. 2016 was a tough season for the Yankees, and this win was a much needed feel-good moment. The fact that is spoiled Boston’s celebration made it that much better. And what a way for Mark Teixeira to go out. Because it put a damper on Boston’s parade, that’s why it’s on this list.