Yankees Force Decisive Game 3 After Austin Wells Delivers Clutch Hit
The Yankees advanced to AL Wild Card Series Game 3 after defeating the Red Sox 4-3 at Yankee Stadium. In front of an energized home crowd, Austin Wells’ late RBI single handed the Yankees a surprise win.
Like the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, this game was fierce. Wells saved the game in the eighth inning after trading big moments all night. Wells crushed a 3-2 pitch down the right-field line with Jazz Chisholm Jr. on base and two outs. Yankee Stadium erupted when Chisholm ran on and scored safely. Only October baseball in New York can produce the atmosphere of the night’s largest audience yell.
David Bednar’s ninth-inning shutout gave the Yankees the win and extended the series. The win saved New York and boosted Game 3’s excitement.
Ben Rice profited on his postseason debut. Rice hit a two-run homer in his first postseason at-bat after being benched in Game 1. His strength energized Yankees’ offense and dugout. He was a menace at the plate despite a hard lineout that nearly lost him runs. His tremendous hit against the Red Sox was significant due to his timing and proximity to Boston.
Carlos Rodón pitched well but made mistakes for the Yankees. His third-inning misplay allowed Boston’s Trevor Story to tie the game with a single. One home run by Story tied the score again. Before delivering the ball to the bullpen, Rodón struck out six to keep the Yankees in reach.
In a dramatic seventh inning, Fernando Cruz tied games. A botched bunt and a diving stop by Jazz Chisholm Jr. allowed Cruz to enter with two runners on. Cruz’s wild celebration after the inning knotted the score enthused Yankees fans.
This victory was about teamwork, not one man. The Yankees were resilient in October because to Rice’s early power, Chisholm’s defense, and Wells’ late heroics. The win sets up a winner-take-all Game 3 where every pitch and play could decide the season.
Momentum and fan support prepare the Yankees for their biggest test against their biggest rivals. After two nail-biting games, the finale promises more drama as just one team advances.
Sources
NJ Advance Media
AP Reports
