New York Clinches Home Field Advantage In Wild Card Game With Their Win Over Tampa Bay
New York can check clinching home field advantage for the wild-card game October 3rd off their list as they clinched it with a win the opener of their three-game series against Tampa Bay.
Aaron Hicks robbed Wilson Ramos of a grand slam with an unbelievable catch, Jordan Montgomery settled into complete six solid innings and Starlin Castro homered as the Yankees secured home-field advantage for a potential American League Wild Card Game with a 6-1 victory over the Rays on Tuesday evening at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
With the win, the Yankees closed within three games of the Red Sox in the AL East race. The Yanks have secured the first AL Wild Card, so if they do not catch Boston, the Wild Card Game would be played at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. ET. The loss officially eliminated the Rays from postseason contention. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
"We'll just continue fighting and playing good," Castro said. "They've been playing good, too, because every time we've won, they've won. They lost today, we won. If we continue playing like we're playing, we'll see what happens." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
Activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, Hicks made an immediate impact as he scaled the wall in right-center field at the 385-foot marker, bringing Ramos' first-inning drive back into the yard for a sacrifice fly. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
"It kind of just happened. It was fun to be able to do that," Hicks said. "I thought he hit it pretty well, but it just kind of died for me. It gave me a great opportunity." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
Castro homered as part of a four-run second inning against Rays starter Blake Snell, who was unable to retire any of the six men he faced in the frame. "according to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
"Hicks makes just a tremendous play," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Yeah, we pick up one, but off the bat, we're probably thinking we're getting four or multiple. Heck of a play. Probably allowed [Montgomery] to settle in." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
Backed by the rally, which included bases-loaded walks by Hicks and Aaron Judge, Montgomery stabilized his case for a relief role on the postseason roster by limiting the Rays to a run on six hits over a six-inning outing. Montgomery walked one and struck out five in the 79-pitch effort, winning for the second time in two starts. The Yankees have won 17 of 24 games in September. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
I just stopped trying to force my arm through," Montgomery said. "Especially in that first inning, I've just got to settle in. Once I just let the ball come out of my hand and let the grip take control, I can usually control it and not force it too much." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
After the first three Rays had reached base against Montgomery, Hicks supplied a late contender for the Yanks' top catch of the season as he tracked down Ramos' deep drive to right-center, leaping at the wall and snow-coning the baseball in front of the New York bullpen. Hicks' defensive effort -- as well as his three walks -- could help him earn playing time as the Yankees attempt to finalize their postseason roster. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
As soon as I hit the ball, I hit the ball well, but not enough," Ramos said. "He jumped and stole that homer, but that's part of the game. You have to keep your head up and keep going. That was a great play. All the credit for him on that play." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
Snell's big league debut came here in The Bronx on April 23, 2016, when he held the Yanks to a run on two hits over five innings. Suffice it to say, he'll remember this outing less fondly. After Castro's 15th homer of the season, Snell permitted three straight hits before issuing a five-pitch walk to Hicks that forced in a run. A mound visit followed, and Snell walked Judge on four pitches to force home another run before an early call to the bullpen. It was Snell's first loss since July 24 against the Orioles. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
Getting pulled after one inning surprised me, but I should be able to adjust mid-game and fix it and figure it out right away,'' Snell said. "So I was more upset with that." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
It's really important. There's nothing better than home, especially how good we play at this field. It's pretty good to have that game over here." -- Castro, on the Yankees locking up home-field advantage if they play in the AL Wild Card Game "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
Right-hander Alex Cobb was scheduled to start on Thursday against the Yankees. But now that the Rays' postseason hopes have been dashed, Jake Faria will start the series finale. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
"He's made his last start," Cash said. "He's had a really really good year. He's totally fine to pitch, but I think it's in his best interest not to given where his inning workload is, and let Jake Faria make that start. He's deserving to make that start." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
With Gary Sanchez batting in the eighth inning, umpire Dan Bellino halted the game to eject a fan seated behind home plate who was shouting out pitch locations to the Yankees, based upon where Ramos was set up. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
"Everybody's supposed to hit the ball and react to pitches. If you have somebody telling you where the ball is going it's easier," Ramos said. "To me, it's like cheating. He was saying 'Away, away, away' in Spanish." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it was the first time that he has heard of such behavior at Yankee Stadium. Sanchez said that he heard the fan's words. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
"You could definitely hear the guy scream, 'Outside! Outside!'" Sanchez said. "But you don't know if it's going to be a slider or a fastball. You've got to stick to your plan, whatever approach you have, whatever plan you have when you're facing the pitcher. You want to maintain and focus on that, and not whatever people are screaming out there." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256211752/yanks-secure-home-field-for-al-wild-card-game/?topicId=27118390
With the win, New York improved to 88-69 and is now 3.0 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 91-66 after their loss to Toronto Tuesday by a score of 9-4. With the loss to New York, Tampa Bay dropped to 76-81 and is now out of playoff contention.
Tampa Bay and New York will play game two of their three-game series Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
Right-hander Matt Andriese will get the start for Tampa Bay. He has a record of 5-4 with a 4.44 earn run average. Andriese is looking to avoid a fourth loss in his last five starts. After having a 3.45 earn run average, Andriese has posted an 8.47 earn run average and has allowed five home runs in four starts since returning to the rotation. He will oppose New York right-hander Luis Severino who has a record of 13-6 with a 3.03 earn run average. Severino has a chance to climb up the Yanks single-season strikeout leaderboard in his final start of the regular season. He'll enter play with 221 strikeouts, fifth-most with a chance to catch David Cone who has 222 strikeouts and teammate CC Sabathia who has 230 strikeouts. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rays-vs-yankees/2017/09/27/492471#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492471
First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Sun and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rays-vs-yankees/2017/09/27/492471#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492471