The New York Yankees’ season came to an end on Thursday night, falling 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium as a fan-interference call helped define a loss that completed a three-game sweep in the American League Division Series.
New York trailed 4-2 in the sixth inning when Anthony Volpe appeared to launch a game-tying home run into the left-field seats. After video review, however, umpires determined a fan reached over the wall and interfered with the ball. The home run was overturned, and Volpe was awarded an RBI double instead, with George Lombard Jr. scoring to tie the game.
The Yankees could not take advantage of the second chance. Spencer Jones struck out to end the sixth, and New York failed to advance another runner beyond second base over the final three innings.
Max Fried surrendered two home runs, including a two-run shot by Victor Mesa Jr. in the fourth inning that gave Tampa Bay its final lead. Fried allowed four runs while striking out seven over 5.2 innings.
The Yankees answered each of Tampa Bay’s first two runs. Ryan Vilade opened the scoring with a solo home run in the third before New York responded, then the Yankees again pulled even after Tampa Bay regained the lead.
The defeat capped a difficult series for New York, which was held to one hit in a shutout loss in Game 1 before committing four errors in Game 2.
The Yankees’ championship drought extended to 17 years as Aaron Boone also saw his ninth season as manager end.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
