Yankees Rally Past White Sox 3-2, Clinch Playoff Spot/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New York Yankees rallied for a 3–2 walk-off win over the Chicago White Sox to clinch their 60th postseason appearance. José Caballero delivered the game-winning RBI single in the ninth inning, scoring Aaron Judge. The Yankees pulled within one game of Toronto in the AL East race with just five games left.
Yankees Playoff Clincher Quick Looks
- Playoff Bound: Yankees clinch their 60th postseason appearance in franchise history.
- Walk-Off Win: Caballero’s RBI single scores Judge in ninth inning.
- AL East Race: Yankees now just one game behind Toronto.
- Rare Rally: Only second comeback win in 61 games when trailing after eight innings.
- Key Contributions: Volpe, Wells, Judge, and Bellinger sparked ninth-inning rally.
- Pitching Notes: Luis Gil allowed two runs over six innings.
- Chicago Highlight: Colson Montgomery’s homer gave White Sox a temporary lead.
- Judge’s Record: Two more intentional walks bring season total to 34, a Yankees record.
- Next Up: Yankees start Max Fried in Game 2 of the series.
Deep Look: Yankees Rally Past White Sox to Clinch Postseason Spot and Tighten AL East Race
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are officially headed back to the postseason, and they did it in dramatic fashion Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. José Caballero’s clutch two-out RBI single in the ninth inning drove in Aaron Judge, sealing a 3–2 comeback victory over the Chicago White Sox and securing New York’s 60th playoff berth in franchise history.
The victory marked the Yankees’ eighth postseason appearance in nine years, a testament to their sustained success. It also tightened the AL East race, with New York (89–68) pulling within one game of division-leading Toronto (90–67).
Ninth-Inning Drama at Yankee Stadium
The White Sox carried a 2–1 lead into the bottom of the ninth, with reliever Brandon Eisert on the mound. Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells sparked the rally with back-to-back singles. But momentum appeared to stall when Trent Grisham grounded into a double play.
Chicago elected to intentionally walk Judge for the second time in the game, setting up a potential force out. Instead, Cody Bellinger followed with a walk, loading the bases. A wild pitch by Eisert allowed Volpe to race home and tie the game at 2–2.
That set the stage for Caballero, who battled through a nine-pitch at-bat against reliever Steven Wilson before lofting a soft single into shallow center. Judge raced home with the winning run, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Caballero was mobbed by teammates at first base and doused with water by Paul Goldschmidt and Wells during his postgame interview. “That’s the kind of energy this team has,” he said. “We never quit.”
White Sox Strike First, Yankees Answer Late
Chicago had taken the lead in the sixth inning when rookie Colson Montgomery launched a two-run homer off Yankees starter Luis Gil. The blast put the White Sox ahead 2–1 after New York had struck first with Wells’ RBI double in the second inning.
Gil, auditioning for a potential playoff rotation role, pitched six strong innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out six.
The Yankees squandered chances in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, but their resilience paid off in the ninth. The comeback marked only their second victory in 61 games when trailing after eight innings.
Judge Extends Intentional Walk Record
Judge’s patience at the plate continues to alter opposing game plans. His two intentional walks Tuesday brought his season total to 34, extending his Yankees single-season record.
“It just shows the respect he commands,” manager Aaron Boone said. “And it creates opportunities for guys behind him to step up like Caballero did tonight.”
Yankees’ Momentum Building
With the win, the Yankees improved to 20–8 over their last 28 games, finding their stride at the most critical point of the season. Their surge has kept them within striking distance of Toronto, with the division possibly coming down to the final weekend.
“This is why you play the game,” Judge said afterward. “We’ve got a chance to do something special, and the guys in this clubhouse believe in each other.”
White Sox Struggles Continue
For Chicago, the loss was another disappointment in a difficult season. Rookie starter Shane Smith pitched well, allowing just one run over five innings while striking out eight. But the bullpen faltered late, spoiling his effort.
Reliever Eisert (3–7) was tagged with the loss, while Luke Weaver (4–4) earned the win after stranding a runner in the top of the ninth.
What’s Next
The Yankees will send left-hander Max Fried (18–5, 2.92 ERA) to the mound Wednesday as they look to keep pressure on Toronto in the AL East. The White Sox have yet to announce their starter.
