Incredible Austin Wells play helps Yankees clinch playoff spot as celebration ensues

Agree or disagree with the New York Yankees celebrating multiple times before they even reach the postseason, the Bombers have made it. And it's especially notable because of their horrid 2022 showing that saw them put forth their worst campaign in 30 years.

On Wednesday night, the Yankees defeated the Seattle Mariners in a 2-1 nail-biter to clinch a playoff berth. It wasn't the prettiest. New York logged just three hits and five walks. They struck out 15 times and Anthony Rizzo was the only one who cashed in with runners in scoring position.

But the pitching staff held up. Nestor Cortes went six scoreless. Tommy Kahnle, Luke Weaver and Ian Hamilton did their jobs. Clay Holmes surrendering a solo homer to tie the game in the eighth nearly derailed their efforts, but the Yanks pulled it off in extras.

Rizzo, who plated both Yankees runs, drove in Jasson Dominguez for the second time in the top of the 10th, and then it was up to Hamilton to finish the job against the M's 2-3-4 hitters. He got into some trouble after allowing a leadoff single, but (arguably) the heads-up play of the season saved him.

With runners on the corners and nobody out, Hamilton struck out Randy Arozarena for the first out of the inning. The slugger whiffed on strike three and the bat flew out of his hands down the third base line, right at Julio Rodriguez, who had no choice but to run outside the base path to avoid the flying lumber. Austin Wells noticed that Rodriguez wasn't aware he need to get back to the bag in expedient fashion, so he rifled the ball down to Jazz Chisholm, who tagged Rodriguez for the second out. Double play.

Incredible Austin Wells play helps Yankees clinch playoff spot, celebrate like maniacs

That's a baseball play right there. And it was absolutely deflating for the Mariners, who made their second straight baserunning gaffe at third that cost them another loss. On Tuesday, Victor Robles attempted an ill-advised steal of home plate with the bases loaded, two outs, and Luis Gil failing to find the plate and stuck in a 3-0 count against Justin Turner.

Turner was the last hope on Wednesday, but Hamilton struck him out and the Yankees clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2022. In what's been a long and arduous season, manager Aaron Boone emphasized that the team was going to celebrate all of their accomplishments. First a playoff berth. Next a division title. ALDS? ALCS? World Series?

Everybody had their fun. Tommy Kahnle went absolutely wild. Aaron Judge even partook in the festivities longer than Jazz Chisholm expected. Juan Soto was having himself a time, which should hopefully help when the offseason comes around. Luke Weaver got absolutely pelted with various alcoholic beverages.

And, of course, the fellas provided content via Instagram Live — the stuff everybody wants to see.

This Yankees win overshadowed almost everything fans are worried about: disappearing acts by the offense, concerns over Holmes in high-leverage situations, a lack of fundamentals — all the stuff we've been talking about all year.

Instead, we're talking about a playoff berth on Thursday morning (and a five-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East). We'll worry about everything else tomorrow. Today, we celebrate.