Mariners and Yankees playoff bound

Cal Raleigh (YouTube)

Earlier today we discussed how we know five/sixths of the National League Playoff picture. Now it is time to focus on the junior circuit. Joining the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League playoffs, are the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.

The Yankees reached the postseason after beating the Chicago White Sox 3-2 at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. The Mariners made the playoffs by beating the Colorado Rockies 4-3.

New York beat Chicago thanks to a quality start by Luis Gil of Azua, Dominican Republic. Gil pitched six innings and only gave up two earned runs.

The Yankees were actually down 2-1 to the White Sox heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Then Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe of New York, New York scored on a wild pitch with two out to tie the game, and then MLB stolen base king Jose Caballero of Panama, Panama hit the game-winning RBI with a single that scored Aaron Judge of Linden, California. Judge had intentionally walked earlier in the inning.

The Mariners also beat the Rockies in dramatic fashion. They were trailing the worst team in baseball 3-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. That is when Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada hit a three run double to give Seattle the lead.

Seattle now has a commanding four game lead over the Houston Astros in the American League West. The Yankees pulled to within one game of the Blue Jays for first place in the American League East. Both the Astros and Blue Jays lost on Tuesday.