Yankees Win Key Game, Tie in AL East Race

New York, NY — In a critical game for the Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton celebrated with a fist pump after a pivotal double led to a 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night. This win placed the Yankees (91-68) in a tie atop the American League East with the Toronto Blue Jays, who defeated the Boston Red Sox earlier in the evening.

The Yankees are now vying for the division title, needing to win at least one more game than the Blue Jays in their final three games. Manager Aaron Boone emphasized the need to focus on winning every game. “We need to try to win every game, and that’s our focus,” he said.

After falling behind 3-1 in the fourth inning due to a home run from Michael A. Taylor, Stanton responded with a one-out, bases-clearing double that shifted the momentum back to the Yankees. “He’s been huge for us,” Boone praised Stanton, noting his significant contributions throughout the season.

The Yankees continued to extend their lead with an RBI double from Austin Wells in the seventh inning. Carlos Rodón, pitching for the Yankees, struck out five over six innings, finishing with a season record of 18-9 and a 3.09 ERA.

Rodón’s performance made him one of six left-handers in Yankees history to record over 200 strikeouts in a single season. Reflecting on the season, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute after the injury to ace Gerrit Cole. “Just glad I was able to go out there and post every five, six days and compete,” he stated.

The victory marked the Yankees’ fifth consecutive win and a sweep of the White Sox, who finished the season at 58-101. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge drew two intentional walks, setting a new American League record for walks in a season. He finished 2-for-3 with an average of .330, the highest in MLB.

With three games remaining against the Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees are determined to secure the division title. “We’re executing on offense and defense, throwing the ball well,” Stanton said, displaying confidence in the team’s current form as they head into the final stretch.