Giancarlo Stanton delivered another clutch hit on Wednesday night, blasting a pinch-hit two-run homer in the 10th inning to propel the New York Yankees to a 6-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays after David Bednar’s third blown save of the season. The win stretched New York’s streak to five games and gave them added separation in the American League wild-card standings.
Rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler tossed a gem for the Yankees, retiring the first 18 Rays he faced before Chandler Simpson broke up his bid for perfection with a single in the seventh. Schlittler finished with 6.2 shutout innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out a career-high eight.
Luke Weaver relieved him and got out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh before giving up a solo shot to Bob Seymour in the eighth, his first big-league home run.
Closer David Bednar was a strike away from nailing down a 3-1 win when he gave up a game-tying two-run double to Hunter Feduccia in the ninth, forcing extra innings.
However, New York quickly responded in the 10th. Manager Aaron Boone sent Stanton up to the plate to pinch-hit for Ryan McMahon, and he drilled his 15th homer of the season off Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. Austin Wells followed with his second long ball of the game and his 17th of the season to give the Yankees a three-run lead.
Devin Williams ran into trouble in the bottom of the frame, but stuck out three straight after allowing two hits and a run to seal the victory, marking his 18th save of the season.
Trent Grisham powered the Yankees’ early offense with a leadoff home run in the first and another blast in the eighth, his third multi-homer game of the season. He now has a career-best 23 home runs.
Box Score | AL Wild Card Standings
Next, the Yankees (69-57) head back to the Bronx to open a massive four-game series with the Boston Red Sox (68-59) on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].