The Yankees are in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, they’ve reached the postseason 24 of the past 28 years.
Aaron Boone is the first manager to punch a playoff ticket in each of his first five seasons.
Josh Donaldson’s walk-off RBI single in the 10th powered a 5-4 victory over the Red Sox, Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, clinching the Bombers’ place in the 2022 postseason.
In a game where Aaron Judge just missed making history, the Yankees checked the first bullet point off their goals list. The ultimate goal, as always with this team is winning a championship. For the sixth consecutive year, the Yankees have earned the opportunity to compete for the crown in October.
“There was a lot of hard work over the course of the season to get to this point,” Judge said. “But I think you can ask anybody in this room — the job’s not finished.”
In the bottom of the ninth, Judge hit a 2-2 pitch from Matt Barnes deep to center. If the ball cleared the fence it would send Judge into the record books with his 61st home run of the season. However, as 43,123 in attendance rose to their feet, with phone cameras ready to capture history, Kiké Hernández settled in at the warning track to make the catch. Judge just missed it.
“Just got underneath it a little bit,” Judge said. “It was a pretty windy night. I was hoping it was blowing out. Just missed it.”
It’s a matter of time before Judge makes history with No. 61.
“Whenever [Judge] comes up,” Jameson Taillon said, “everyone runs outside to watch the at-bat. No one wants to miss it. We know it’s going to happen at some point.”
Taillon was brilliant in his start, scattering four hits and striking out eight over six scoreless innings. Ultimately it was Donaldson securing the Yankees’ Major League-leading 16th walk-off win — sending them into the postseason.
“It’s not over yet, but the chance that we get the opportunity to play some postseason baseball is going to be fun,” Donaldson said. “I thought Judgie had it with a homer, but it was nice to be able to come through for the team.”
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
