The Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees with a 4-3 win aided by a fan interference call, while the Los Angeles Dodgers reached the NLCS by eliminating the Atlanta Braves.
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Key facts
- Rays beat Yankees 4-3 to complete a 3-0 ALDS sweep.
- Victor Mesa Jr hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Max Fried in the sixth inning.
- A fan interference call helped Tampa Bay secure the win.
- Dodgers eliminated the Braves to keep their three-peat bid alive.
- Guardians beat the White Sox to avoid a sweep, led by Ramírez.
The Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees on Wednesday night, winning 4-3 with the help of a fan interference call to advance in the Major League Baseball playoffs, according to the Guardian.
The decisive blow came from Victor Mesa Jr, who hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Yankees pitcher Max Fried in the sixth inning. Ryan Vilade also homered for the Rays during the game.
With the victory, Tampa Bay reached the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2020. The Rays will host the opener of that series on Monday, facing either the Chicago White Sox or the Cleveland Guardians.
In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the Atlanta Braves to advance to the NLCS, keeping alive their bid for a three-peat, the Guardian reported.
Elsewhere in the postseason, the Cleveland Guardians avoided a sweep by beating the Chicago White Sox, with Ramírez leading the way for Cleveland.
The results reshape the remaining playoff picture, with the Rays securing their spot in the ALCS and the Dodgers moving on in the NL.
Why it matters
The Rays' sweep ends the Yankees' season and returns Tampa Bay to the ALCS for the first time since 2020, while the Dodgers' advance keeps a championship three-peat in play. A fan interference call deciding a postseason game is likely to draw significant attention from fans and officials alike.
Frequently asked questions
How did the Rays beat the Yankees?
The Rays won 4-3, with Victor Mesa Jr hitting a tiebreaking two-run homer off Max Fried in the sixth inning and Ryan Vilade also homering, aided by a fan interference call, to complete a 3-0 ALDS sweep.
Who will the Rays play next?
Tampa Bay will host either the Chicago White Sox or the Cleveland Guardians in Monday's ALCS opener.
Did the Dodgers advance?
Yes. The Dodgers eliminated the Atlanta Braves to reach the NLCS and keep their three-peat bid alive.
Timeline
- Yankees swept by Rays after fan interference drama while Dodgers reach NLCS
The Guardian Sport: Rays sweep Yankees 3-0 after fan interference call Dodgers eliminate Braves to keep three-peat bid alive Ramírez leads Guardians past Sox to avoid sweep Victor Mesa Jr hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Max Fried in the sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yank