Yankees Win Final Game of Season, Clinch Top Seed in AL

Written by Nicholas Suppa

Published on October 3, 2024

Over in The Bronx, the New York Yankees have had quite a week. They not only officially clinched the American League East division, but also climbed to the top of Mount Everest as the number one team in the AL. This is the first time since 2012 that the Yankees have been stamped for having the AL’s best record, and the 43rd time in their history.

Although the Yankees lost their last series of the season, they did finish their last game yesterday at home winning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a back-and-forth matchup the Yankees would finish on top in that game against the Pirates 6-4. New York did start things off the right way early in the bottom of the 1st inning, as outfielder Trent Grisham launched a two-run home run to put The Bombers up first 2-0. Eventually the Pirates took a 3-2 lead, but in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Trent Grisham would come to the rescue again with an RBI single which tied the game to three.

They would take back the lead in that same inning 4-3 after Giancarlo Stanton grounded into a double play to score the runner from third. Jumping ahead all the way to the bottom of the 8th inning, with the game tied at four, the Yankees had the bases loaded with two outs hoping to find an answer to get in front with the lead. On the second pitch to left fielder Alex Verdugo, the Yankees’ hopes of winning their last game of the season was even higher. A single into right field by Verdugo brought in two runs to put the Yankees up 6-4.

At this point, the only thing left to do for New York to come out as winners was to close the game out in the bottom of the 9th inning. They turned to their relief pitcher Clay Holmes, who was originally the set closer, but was demoted due to recent struggles. Holmes was given a shot to close out the game and came out of it perfectly.

After the first two batters that Holmes faced grounded out the only batter left in his path was Pirates’ center fielder Oneil Cruz. On a 2-2 count, Clay Holmes would finish off Cruz with a sweep (breaking ball) to close out the Yankees’ 2024 MLB regular season. They finished 94-68, three games over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East Division, and 1.5 games over the Cleveland Guardians for the best AL record. With the 162-game season complete, the Yankees are about to embark upon their mission to acquire 11 more wins to be crowned champions for the first time in 15 years since 2009.

The journey for a 28th World Series championship begins on October 5th for the Bronx Bombers as they will take on the winner of the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals Wild Card game in the best of 5 American League Division Series.

 

Featured image from iStock