Ben Rice hits 40th and 41st homers as Yankees beat Rays 9-2 a day after Tampa Bay clinches AL East

The New York Yankees claimed a decisive 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in a Tuesday doubleheader, securing their position as the American League’s No. 4 seed and home-field advantage in the wild-card round. Cody Bellinger contributed with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, providing ample offensive support from the Yankees.

Carlos Rodón delivered a stellar performance, pitching eight innings, limiting the Rays to just three hits, and striking out eight batters, including his 1,500th career strikeout. Although the Yankees clinched a playoff spot last week, they remain a game behind the Rays in the AL East standings. With six games left to play in the regular season, the Yankees are now five games in deficit.

However, Tampa must win just one of their final six games to secure their fifth division title. The Yankees, now assured of the top AL wild card team, are likely to face the Boston Red Sox in the opening round for the second consecutive postseason. The 2025 wild-card series between the division rivals was won by the Yankees. The return of Aaron Judge, who has been sidelined with a calf strain, remains uncertain, as the team has not planned to have him available for the playoff series set to start on September 29.