Rays Sweep Yankees to Reach First League Championship Series Since 2020

The Yankees are out. In New York last night, the Rays beat the Yankees four to three to sweep the division series three games to none and reach the league championship series for the first time since twenty twenty. The result ended the series without the Yankees recording a single win, and it sent the Rays through to the next round with the deciding game won on the road by a single run.

Rookie Victor Mesa Junior provided the decisive swing, hitting a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning. That home run broke the deadlock and put the Rays in front in a game that finished four to three. It was the moment the sweep was built on: a rookie delivering the biggest hit of the night, in the sixth inning, in an elimination game for the home side, with the series on the line.

There was controversy before the end. Anthony Volpe's apparent tying homer was overturned on fan interference and ruled a double instead, taking away what looked like the hit that would have levelled the game for the Yankees. The call stood as one of the turning points of the night, because the game stayed in the Rays' favour rather than being tied, and New York was left still chasing the run it needed.

The finish was closed out in the ninth inning. Closer Bryan Baker struck out Trent Grisham to end it, sealing the four-to-three win and completing the three-games-to-none sweep. With that final strikeout, the Rays' place in the league championship series was confirmed, their first appearance at that stage since twenty twenty, and the Yankees' postseason was over.

The Rays now host the championship opener on Monday against the winner of the White Sox and Guardians series. That opponent was still to be decided. In Chicago last night, the Guardians beat the White Sox nine to three to stay alive; Chicago still leads two games to one, with game four today. The result in Chicago kept that series going and left the Rays waiting to learn which team they will face when the championship series opens on Monday.

From the October 8 episode of The World Briefing Room.