Rays Sweep Yankees 4-3 in Game 3 to Reach ALCS for First Time Since 2020
Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning as Tampa Bay beat New York 4-3 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game ALDS sweep and advance to the American League Championship Series.
The Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees on Wednesday night, winning 4-3 at Yankee Stadium to reach the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2020, according to USA Today.
Tampa Bay took the lead for good in the sixth inning. With two outs, Junior Caminero singled and Victor Mesa Jr. followed with a two-run home run off starter Max Fried that traveled 401 feet to right-center, according to USA Today. Reuters reported that Fried allowed four runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Early exchanges and a disputed drive in the sixth
The Rays scored first in the third inning when Jonathan Aranda singled home Jonny DeLuca, according to USA Today. New York tied the game in the bottom half on a Ben Rice run-scoring single. Ryan Vilade put Tampa Bay back ahead with a home run, before the Yankees drew even again after Anthony Volpe reached on an infield single that struck starter Nick Martinez and Spencer Jones doubled home a run, according to USA Today.
New York nearly tied the game again in the sixth. A deep drive by Volpe was initially treated as a home run, but a review ruled fan interference and the play was scored as a run-scoring double, trimming the lead to 4-3, according to USA Today and Reuters.
Closer Bryan Baker recorded the final outs, striking out Trent Grisham to end the game, according to USA Today. The Rays, who finished with the best record in the American League, will host either the Chicago White Sox or the Cleveland Guardians when the best-of-seven ALCS begins Monday, according to Reuters. New York was eliminated in the Division Series by a division rival for the second straight year, according to USA Today.
Reporting based on coverage by USA Today and Reuters.
