NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Verdugo hit a go-ahead, two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning and the New York Yankees closed the regular season Sunday with a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates .
Verdugo struggled for most of the second half, breaking a four-run tie by hitting a Carmen Mlodzinski fastball into right field to score Austin Wells and Jasson Domínguez. Wells was hit by a pitch from Colin Holderman (3-6), and Domínguez walked.
After a walk by Jon Berti, Verdugo delivered his fourth single in 24 at bats with the bases loaded. Verdugo was acquired from Boston in December and hit .233 in his first season with the Yankees.
“So often it’s not always the fancy, sexy, big hits,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s eliminating at-bats, taking a walk, setting the table. Three really good ones there.”
It was Verdugo’s second goal this season and the twelfth of his career, giving his team the lead in the eighth inning or later.
Luke Weaver (7-3) stranded a runner in the eighth and Clay Holmes struck out Oneil Cruz with a sweeper for his 30th save in 43 chances. It was Holmes’ first save since Aug. 30 against St. Louis.
AL East champion New York (94-68) gained home field advantage in the American League playoffs on Saturday when Cleveland lost to Houston.
“I think we’re in a good place,” Verdugo said.
Pittsburgh (76-86) matched its record from last year and completed its sixth straight losing season. The Pirates were 56-54 on August 3 and had lost 32 of their last 52 games.
“We have to get better,” manager Derek Shelton said. “The last two teams we played, in terms of the Brewers and the Yankees, are doing what we expect to do, and what we need to do and want to do.”
Trent Grisham hit a two-run homer on two pitches and had an RBI single after being a late addition to the Yankees’ lineup. Aaron Judge was scratched at the start shortly before a 91-minute rain delay.
Clarke Schmidt pitched in the rain and allowed four runs and four hits in four-plus innings during an audition for the postseason rotation in New York — a day after rookie Luis Gil gave up four home runs in similar circumstances. Boone said none of these outings will impact who is in the postseason rotation.
“At the end of the day, we’re just trying to make the best decision about who we think gives the best opportunity in a given situation, in a given start against a given opponent, whatever that may be,” Boone said. “Once again I feel like it’s a good decision ahead of us because both guys are very capable.”
Schmidt finished with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts, making five after missing more than three months with a right lat strain.
“It’s just really tough out there,” Schmidt said. “Sometimes you couldn’t really find the hill, the rubber from all the dirt covering the hill. It was difficult to grip the ball because the resin was so wet.”
Schmidt left after walking Bryan Reynolds. Mark Leiter Jr. gave up a tying double to Joey Bart.
Pittsburgh starter Bailey Falter allowed four runs and four hits in three innings.
IN THE SEATS
The Yankees drew 3,309,838 for 79 home dates, up slightly from 3,269,016 for 80 home dates in 2023, when they won 82 games. New York had 17 sellouts, the third most at current Yankee Stadium and the most since 23 in 2018
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: 1B Anthony Rizzo, who broke the fourth and fifth fingers on his right hand on Saturday, was not on the injured list and will receive treatment. … RHP Jake Cousins (right pec) pitched consecutive days before taking Sunday off. He’s scheduled to pitch again on Monday, have a bullpen session on Tuesday and face hitters on Thursday. … INF DJ LeMahieu (right hip impingement) will participate in practices leading up to the AL Division Series.
NEXT
Pirates: Open spring training at the Orioles on February 22 in Sarasota, Florida.
Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole starts Game 1 of the Division Series Saturday in the Bronx against Baltimore or Kansas City.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Larry Fleisher, The Associated Press
Leave a Comment