MLB: The Yankees keep their playoff hopes hanging by a thread after outlasting the Rangers
New York, New York - It's close, but the New York Yankees aren’t out of it yet, as they escaped a close game at home against the Texas Rangers on Monday night.
The Yanks squeaked by the Rangers 4-3, to keep pace in the race for a Wild Card spot in the American League.
New York avoided a three-game skid but more importantly moves to a half-game behind their division rivals, Toronto and Wild Card standing leaders Boston.
After a dismal weekend that included scoring only four total runs in two games against a team who won’t make the playoffs, the Yankees did just enough on Monday night to get a much-needed win.
New York catcher Gary Sanchez (28) belted a solo home run in the second inning, to give his team an early 1-0 lead.
That was followed in the next inning when Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gleyber Torres combined to drive home three more runs for New York.
A couple of innings later, Rangers shortstop Charlie Culberson hit a solo homer of his own to break the shutout. He was quickly followed by two more runs batted in by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Adolis Garcia, making things seem as if New York just might let another one slip away.
Four Yankees relief pitchers banded together, led by reliever Chad Green to prevent a successful Rangers comeback. Green got the win and improves his record on the mound to 8-7.
Nestor Cortez Jr. did have the ball to start for the Yankees, pitching 4.1 innings and striking out 7, but allowed five hits and three earned runs.
Rangers starter A.J. Alexy, who allowed all four of the Yankees’ runs, was dealt his first loss of the season and now sits at 2-1.
On Tuesday night, the Yankees and Rangers play again in the second of three games in New York.
Cover photo: IMAGO / UPI Photo