Sports

Yankees Lose ALDS to Rays in Three-Game Sweep

By Greg Joyce

The New York Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs when they were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in a three‑game series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees lost 4‑3 in Game 3, after falling behind in Games 1 and 2 and failing to generate offense in the final matchup. Manager Aaron Boone described the defeat as the worst feeling in the world. Aaron Judge, who had been on the disabled list with a right calf strain since mid‑September, watched from the dugout as the team failed to give him a chance to return. Judge said he was “hating every single moment of it” and reflected on missed opportunities throughout the season and the series. The Yankees had previously been eliminated in the ALDS in four games by the Toronto Blue Jays a year earlier. Boone, who has a year remaining on his contract, and general manager Brian Cashman, whose contract is also up, face scrutiny over the team’s repeated playoff failures. In the series, the Yankees scored only five runs across three games and never held a lead against the Rays. Ben Rice said the team was out‑pitched, out‑hit, and ultimately failed to get the job done. In Game 3, Trent Grisham’s leadoff hit was a home run that was overturned after a fan interference review, and Max Fried gave up two home runs, one in the sixth inning to Victor Mesa Jr. and another in the ninth. Anthony Volpe hit a two‑run homer that was also ruled an RBI double after fan interference. Volpe expressed frustration, saying he no longer feels motivated and is “pissed off” by the repeated disappointments. The Yankees’ postseason exit leaves the franchise without a World Series title for the 17th consecutive year and raises questions about the future of the coaching and front‑office staff as the next season approaches amid a looming labor dispute.