Yankees walk-off in 11th, clinch playoff berth

NEW YORK -- It may not have been what they envisioned at the start of the season, but the Yankees celebrated as they clinched a Wild Card spot after defeating the Orioles, 3-2, at Yankee Stadium.

Surely, New York would've loved to win the division but after the amount of injuries they have faced throughout the year and the historic winning pace Boston is on, making the Wild Card game is not at all something to be ignored. And now that they're in the October dance, anything can happen.

[embed]https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1043678768634712064[/embed]

Things were looking good early when the Bombers took a quick 2-0 lead in the second inning, thanks to solo shots by Aaron Hicks and Luke Voit. For the former, it was his 26th of the season, while it was the 12th round tripper for the first baseman.

[embed]https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1043604495194714112[/embed]

In the third, the O's got a run back after a throwing error by Gary Sanchez allowed Breyvic Valera to score. Thankfully for New York, Gleyber Torres threw out Steve Wilkerson at home to keep the Yankees in front.

Dj Stewart, though, hit an RBI-single in the fifth to tie the game at two. That was the only earned run scored off Lance Lynn, who pitched decently, giving up seven hits in five innings.

While New York was not able to score again till the 11th, they were lucky to get some dominant performances from their bullpen. In the six innings they pitched, six relievers combined to strike out nine batters, while giving no runs and just five hits.

This was not without any drama, however, as Jonathan Holder masterfully escaped a one-out bases loaded jam in the 10th to keep the game tied at two. A great play from Voit robbed Chris Davis off a likely RBI-double to save two runs and the game for New York.

Riding on the momentum, Aaron Hicks hooked a double down the left field line, to score the sprinting Didi Gregorius all the way from first base.

[embed]https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1043657090382712834[/embed]

A celebration on the field ensued as the Yankees celebrated the accomplishment of making it back to the postseason. New York, though, needs to keep winning to ensure that the Wild Card game is played at Yankee Stadium.

J.A. Happ faces Alex Cobb tomorrow, as the Yankees go for the series sweep.

Current Yankees Record: 95-59