Yankees 2-1 Mariners (September 18, 2024) Match Report

SEATTLE – Anthony Rizzo hit a game-winning double in the 10th inning to score both runs for New York as the Yankees clinched a playoff spot with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Rizzo hit the first pitch of the inning from reliever Collin Snider (3-4) down the right field line, scoring automatic runner Jasson Domínguez from second base. Ian Hamilton held on in the bottom half after Julio Rodríguez made a bizarre baserunning error.

For the Yankees, this is the 59th playoff appearance in franchise history and their 25th playoff appearance in 30 years. New York is guaranteed at least a wild card in the American League and has made the playoffs six times in the seven seasons that Aaron Boone has been coach.

The first AL team to secure a playoff spot this year, the Yankees were five games ahead of second-place Baltimore in the AL East with ten games to go.

“We've been through a lot this year,” Boone said. “We know this is just a first step – but an important one. We're in the middle of it.”

Seattle remained five games behind first-place Houston in the AL West and three games behind Minnesota in the battle for the league's last wild card.

The Yankees managed just two hits against Mariners starter Bryce Miller, but they scored two runs off Rizzo, who gave them an early lead with a run-scoring single in the second inning and his first RBI since Sept. 2.

Miller managed eight strikeouts and allowed four walks (one intentional) in six innings. After a rocky first inning, he managed to overcome a bases loaded situation in the third inning and retired the last ten hitters he faced.

But Seattle's offense failed to score a run against former Mariners pitcher Nestor Cortes, who allowed four hits and had six strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

“Our goal is to win the division,” Cortes said. “I knew how important it was for us to get the win today. Last year we didn't win, so today was everything for us to have the opportunity to pitch in this game and help the guys go out there, get zeroes and win.”

Justin Turner tied the game 1-1 with a home run in the eighth inning, giving Clay Holmes his 13th save loss of the season, the most in the major leagues, and tying the club record held by Dave Righetti (1987) and Hall of Famer Goose Gossage (1983).

Cal Raleigh hit a single to start the 10th inning, sending Rodríguez, the automatic runner, from second to third base, but the Mariners star was intercepted after running into foul territory to avoid a flying bat that slipped from Randy Arozarena's hands on a strikeout, completing a strange double play.

“There was kind of a crazy scenario at the end where the bat came down and it was kind of a reaction,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. “It was a great game by any measure and it was tough to lose.”

Rodríguez said he assumed the play would be over after the bat sailed out of Arozarena's hands and he would be allowed to return to third base.

“I got away and turned my back to the field, and I heard (third base coach) Manny (Acta) yell, 'Go back to third base.' That's when I went back to third base,” Rodriguez said. “Honestly, I wasn't really thinking about the play at that moment, I was just trying to avoid the bat that was coming at me.”

Turner then struck and ended the game.

Hamilton made his third save of his career and his first of the year. Luke Weaver (6-3) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings with four strikeouts to earn the win.

The Mariners pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts, while the Yankees pitchers struck out 14 batters.

TRAINING ROOM

Mariners OF Victor Robles (hand) was out of the lineup after taking a pitch from the hand of New York starter Luis Gil in the first inning of Tuesday's game. Robles left the game after the inning and his status will be assessed on a day-to-day basis.

Next

Yankees RHP Clarke Schmidt (5-3, 2.41 ERA) will start on Wednesday against Seattle RHP Logan Gilbert (7-11, 3.24).

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