NEW YORK — The New York Yankees clinched a playoff berth with a 3-2 walk-off win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.
José Caballero drove in the winning run with a single in the ninth inning. The hit capped a comeback that secured the Yankees’ eighth postseason berth in nine years.
Anthony Volpe tied the game earlier in the inning. He scored from third base on a wild pitch with two outs. Caballero then battled through a nine-pitch at-bat before sending Aaron Judge home with the decisive run.
The Yankees trailed 2-1 entering the ninth against reliever Brandon Eisert. Volpe and Austin Wells singled to start the inning. A double play slowed the rally, but Judge was walked intentionally to load the bases.
With Cody Bellinger at the plate, Eisert’s pitch got away. Volpe slid home to even the score at 2-2 as 38,318 fans erupted.
“I tell the guys all the time: The good guys always win in the end,” Judge said. “There’s going to be some good times and bad times throughout this drive, but in the end, we’re going to pull it out.”
Caballero’s clutch hit caps remarkable at-bat
Judge advanced to second base on the wild pitch. Caballero fouled off five pitches before making contact with a sweeper. His flare dropped in front of center fielder Michael A. Taylor, and Judge crossed the plate for the win.
“I gotta get the job done,” Caballero said. “That’s the only thing I was thinking of.”
Caballero, acquired at the trade deadline, has added versatility and delivered in pressure moments for New York. His walk-off reinforced his role as a key late-season addition.
Early deficit tests Yankees’ resilience
Luis Gil started for the Yankees and held Chicago scoreless for five innings. The right-hander relied on his fastball and slider to keep hitters off balance.
Wells doubled home a run in the second inning to give New York a 1-0 lead. Gil carried that advantage until the sixth.
Colson Montgomery turned the game with a two-run homer off Gil. The blast followed an outfield misplay that allowed an extra runner, giving the White Sox a 2-1 edge.
Postseason picture comes into focus
The win improved the Yankees to 89-68. They remain atop the American League wild-card race and trail Toronto by one game in the AL East.
The Blue Jays own the head-to-head tiebreaker, but New York is not out of the division race with five games left.
“Our ultimate goal is to win our division,” Judge said. “It’s still right there for us.”
Manager Aaron Boone praised his team’s surge since mid-August. The Yankees have gone 27-12 since Aug. 11, the best record in baseball during that stretch.
“I think we’re a really good club,” Boone said. “It doesn’t guarantee anything, but I’ll certainly take our chances up against anyone.”
Championship expectations drive Yankees forward
Players celebrated in the clubhouse with champagne, but the tone was measured. The team emphasized that bigger goals remain.
“We want to win the division. This isn’t it for us,” Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “This is only a small step. Step two is winning the division, and step three is winning the World Series.”
The Yankees extended their record with a 60th postseason appearance. The Dodgers are second in MLB with 39.
Caballero, wearing the team’s championship belt, summed up the mindset.
“We’re going for everything, man,” he said. “We’re going for the trophy.”
New York will finish the season with three more games against the White Sox and a weekend set in Baltimore. With their postseason spot secured, the Yankees now chase playoff positioning.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
