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Seconds after Rougned Odor hit the first goal on a single to lead late in the ninth inning, Tyler Wade climbed the steps of the Yankees dugout.
It was time to go to work.
Wade Pinch ran for Odor and used his speed and intelligence to weave his way around the bases to finally score the winning point in a 1-0 victory over the Rays that saw the Yankees secure a wild card on Sunday in the Bronx.
“No one can catch it,” said Aaron Judge, who led Wade with the release single.
As he first took over for Odor, Wade thought of the Rays’ drums – southpaw Josh Fleming, who is quick at the plate, on the mound and Mike Zunino catching – that would make basic stealing difficult. So when Gleyber Torres hit a fly ball deep on the warning lane in the middle of the field, Wade returned to first base to score and rushed safely into second.
Anthony Rizzo came next and had a single for right field. Wade took third and was aiming to score before third baseman Phil Nevin put up the stop sign. Right fielder Randy Arozarena had recovered the ball before Wade hit third, and with an out, Nevin didn’t risk sending Wade off.
The utility finally got that chance a few minutes later when the judge tore a line from pitcher Andrew Kittredge’s glove. Wade was running on contact and second baseman Brandon Lowe’s shot, who picked up the ricochet, was too late.
“My mindset was to have a good jump,” said Wade. “Infield was in it. I knew if he raised him, I was going to score.”
Wade dove safely, then went to celebrate with Judge, who was being assaulted in the outfield.
“He’s been a big part of this team,” Judge said. “He gives you that element of speed, being able to cushion, put the ball into play, can play basically five different positions. When you have a guy like that, that you can take off the bench and steal a base, come in and play shortstop, play third, play second, play outfield – that’s what you need in a team to be versatile.
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