Sep 27, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) hits a two-run home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Photo Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK — Rookie Tyler Austin hit a tiebreaking two-run home run with none out in the bottom of the seventh inning, lifting the New York Yankees to a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox Tuesday night, preventing their rivals from clinching the AL East title.
Austin gave the Yankees a 6-4 lead when he lifted a 1-1 pitch from David Price (17-9) into the right field seats. Austin had his first career three-hit game, and his fourth home run prevented the Red Sox from clinching their eighth division title and ended their 11-game winning streak, which began with Hanley Ramirez’s game-winning home run off Dellin Betances Sept. 15.
The Red Sox (92-65) need one win or a Toronto loss to clinch. The Blue Jays kept the celebration on hold by getting a 5-1 win over Baltimore.
The Yankees (81-76) remained mathematically alive in the wild card race and are four games behind Baltimore with five to play.
Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius also homered for the Yankees, who beat the Red Sox for only the sixth time in 17 meetings this season. Jacoby Ellsbury added an RBI single for New York.
Dustin Pedroia had RBI singles in consecutive innings for the Red Sox, who appeared set for another late-inning win over the Yankees. Aaron Hill hit his first career pinch hit home run and Mookie Betts had an RBI groundout.
David Ortiz began his final series in New York and final road series by going 0-for-5. He heard a mix of boos and cheers from fans and stranded two runners apiece in his final three at-bats.
Price allowed six runs and 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings. He tied a career-high by allowing three home runs for the fifth time in his career and lost for the first time in nine decisions since Aug. 7.
New York’s Luis Cessa allowed two runs and five hits in six innings.
Blake Parker (1-0) retired Ortiz for the final out of the seventh, Richard Blier retired Jackie Bradley Jr. to end the eighth and Tyler Clippard fanned Ortiz with two on in the ninth for the save.
The Red Sox scored twice in the sixth to make it a one-run game on Pedroia’s single up the middle and Betts’ groundout to second. Boston could have scored more but Ortiz struck out on a breaking ball with runners at second and third and Ramirez also struck out with two on.
New York took a 4-2 lead when Gregorius hit a 1-1 pitch into the right field seats for his 20th home run. The home run came moments after Starlin Castro was doubled off first after Betts made a diving catch on Chase Headley’s fly ball to right field.
The Red Sox tied it when Hill opened the seventh with a home run off Tommy Layne and Pedroia had a single down the right field line with two outs.
Ortiz heard an equal amount of cheers and boos in his first two at-bats. He flied out to center field to end the first and popped to second for the first out of the fourth.
The Yankees took a 2-0 lead when Sanchez homered on the first pitch he saw from Price. Sanchez’s home run to left-center field was his 20th in his 51st career game, tying the 1930 mark set by Wally Berger.
New York increased the lead to 3-0 on a single by Ellsbury with one out in the fifth.
NOTES: Retiring Boston DH David Ortiz gave a lengthy pregame press conference and addressed a number of topics, including his favorite hit in New York and whether he would play for the Dominican Republic in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Ortiz said he couldn’t name the favorite hit since he has so many and said he is not participating in the WBC. … Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka (forearm) played catch without difficulties Tuesday and will have a bullpen session to determine if he starts Saturday against Baltimore. … Boston RHP Drew Pomeranz (forearm soreness) will not start Thursday and LHP Henry Owens will make the start. … There was a moment of silence before the game for Jose Fernandez, who died Sunday in a boating accident in Miami.
