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We’re down to business here with only the action on Saturday and Sunday in the regular season – unless a playoff game is needed on Monday, which is entirely possible – and the wild card race from the American League is reduced to the wire. Four teams are involved in the jockey for the two places. All four, of course, were in action on Friday, although unfortunately none of them played head-to-head.
The best dog here would be the Yankees, who came into action on Friday with a two-game lead over the Mariners and Red Sox for the top spot.
The Yankees lost what was once a pitching duel to the Rays, 4-3.
Offense was hard to find in this one until the ninth. Nelson Cruz put the Rays on the board in the first inning with a solo shot.
It’s number 32 of the year for the seemingly ageless 41-year-old slugger.
The Yankees retaliated at the end of the first set. Gleyber Torres started with a double and was then tackled on a single from Giancarlo Stanton.
Rays starter Shane McClanahan played three innings before the Rays reliever box moved the game to ninth with a 2-1 advantage.
The Rays put the runners in second and third with two strikeouts early in the ninth and rookie prodigy Wander Franco hit one down the middle to score two runs and give the Rays some breathing space.
Turns out they would need it. The Yankees got a brace from Giancarlo Stanton, who went on to take third place due to a drastic change against Joey Gallo. Gallo would benefit as well, sending a simple bunt down the third base line. Gio Urshela and Brett Gardner followed with singles and it was 4-3. Rays All-Star reliever Andrew Kittredge would escape, however.
With the loss, the Yankees can’t yet land a playoff spot, nor anyone else in that group.
Main games with joker AL, scores
Rays 4, Yankees 1 (score box)
Red Sox 4, Nationals 2 (score box)
Blue Jays 6, Orioles 4 (box score)
LIVE: Angels at Mariners (GameTracker)
The most recent standings are below and will be updated at the end of Friday’s matches.
AL jokers ranking
1. Yankees: 91-69 (+1 G)
2. Red Sox: 90-70 –
3. Sailors: 89-70 (0.5 GB)
4. Blue jays: 89-71 (1 GB)
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