September 19 – Anthony Rizzo hit a run-scoring double in the top of the 10th inning on Wednesday night, giving the New York Yankees a 2–1 win over the host Seattle Mariners and clinching a spot in the American League playoffs.
The Yankees (89-63) won for the sixth time in their last seven games and clinched at least a wild-card spot. They lead Baltimore by five games in the AFC East.
The Mariners (77-75) are five games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West and 4 1/2 back in the wild-card round, and they have a chance. He went 2 for 9 and allowed 10 runs with runners on base in scoring position.
In the 10th inning, Jason Dominguez hit an automatic home run and Rizzo struck out Mariners reliever Collin Snyder (3-4) with a first-inning pitch that hit the outside right corner.
Yankees reliever Luke Weaver (6-3) got the win and Ian Hamilton recorded his 10th scoreless save, his first of the season.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, Cal Raleigh hit a single to left field, moving automatic runner Julio Rodriguez to third. Hamilton then struck out Randy Arozarena, who lost his grip on the final at-bat and sent the bat flying along the third-base line toward Rodriguez. The Mariners star ran into foul territory to avoid the bat, but then forgot it wasn’t a dead ball. Yankees catcher Austin Wells threw to third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to tag Rodriguez as he tried to get the bag back. Hamilton ended the game by striking out Justin Turner.
The Yankees opened the scoring in the second inning. With one out, Dominguez walked, then stole second, and Rowley’s pitch from behind the plate went on a center field error, allowing Dominguez to advance to third. Rizzo then hit a single to right field, putting Dominguez out.
The Mariners tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning on Turner’s solo home run off New York reliever Clay Holmes that went just inside the left field foul pole.
Both starters performed well, although neither was included in the decision.
Nestor Cortez pitched six scoreless innings for the Yankees. The left-handed pitcher allowed four hits, four walks and struck out six.
Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller also went six innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing four batters and striking out eight.
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