Source> ESPN
New York Yankees 5, Tampa Bay Rays 1
What it means: The Yankees outdid the bullpen experts to force a decisive Game 5 in the American League Division Series in San Diego. New York put together one of its more complete games of the postseason, holding the Rays' bats at bay, allowing only three hits, and taking advantage of the few opportunities Tampa Bay's elite arms afforded it. Meanwhile, left-hander
Jordan Montgomery was able to wiggle in and out of trouble through four innings of work, allowing just one run. From there, the Yankees' bullpen, which has been suspect at times, worked like clockwork, with
Chad Green,
Zack Britton and
Aroldis Chapman combining for five hitless innings, with
Kyle Higashioka once again behind the dish, having earned the starting job over the struggling
Gary Sanchez.
Southern California's marine layer, a stiff breeze that kicked up for Game 4, tried to push back any ball threatening to leave Petco Park, but massive swings by
Luke Voit (a solo shot in the second) and
Gleyber Torres (a two-run blow in the sixth) accounted for three of the Yankees' five runs.
All of the Yankees' relievers threw fewer than 25 pitches, which will be an advantage for their pen, as it will be all hands on deck for Game 5 on Friday night, with
Gerrit Cole starting on short rest for the first time in his career. --
Marly Riv