It is not yet October, but if this is what it is going to be like for the Yankees, it may be time to load up on the antacids.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On the first night of a crucial four-game series against the Red Sox, who were breathing down the Yankees\u2019 necks for the top AL wild card, runs were at a premium. But pitching and defense \u2014 namely, Cody Bellinger\u2019s left arm \u2014 were enough to save the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bellinger\u2019s perfect throw home to nail a runner in the seventh inning kept a one-run Yankees lead intact \u2014 courtesy of Paul Goldschmidt\u2019s solo home run \u2014 allowing the bullpen to preserve the shutout and ultimately secure a nail-biting 1-0 win over the Red Sox on Friday night in The Bronx.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat changed the whole game,\u201d Cam Schlittler said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In relief of Schlittler, the Yankees (76-58) had to use the best of their bullpen for 10 outs with a doubleheader looming Saturday, but made it worth it as Brent Headrick, Paul Blackburn and David Bednar got the job done to stay four games back of the Rays for the division and move to three games ahead of the Red Sox (73-61) for the top wild card.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3) is tagged out by New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) at home plate on a double play ending the 7th inning on Friday, August 28, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/p>\n
Blackburn was in trouble in the top of the seventh, when he had runners on second and third with one out and Willson Contreras lifted a fly ball to left field. <\/p>\n
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) greets pitcher David Bednar (53) after Bednar closed out the ninth inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/p>\n
But Bellinger lined himself up with momentum coming in, made the catch and unleashed a 99.7 mph throw home, a one-hopper right into the glove of Austin Wells, who tagged the speedy Ceddanne Rafaela for the inning-ending double play to the roar of 43,476.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThese games are fun,\u201d said Bellinger, who was upset with his bouncing throw home in Tuesday\u2019s game but made an adjustment with an earlier release point Friday. \u201cThe atmosphere is incredible. Always like to impact the game some way, so I was glad I was able to make that throw.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aaron Boone called it \u201cone of the defensive plays of the year.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
New York Yankees pitcher Brent Headrick throws a pitch during a game against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, August 28, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/p>\n
There was plenty riding on Bellinger\u2019s left arm, and not just in the Yankees trying to create some breathing room between them and the Red Sox. <\/p>\n
The season series is also on the line, which could loom large if it ends up being used as a tiebreaker to determine home-field advantage in a potential AL wild-card series, and the Yankees evened it up 5-5 on Friday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But they have not given up yet on the AL East, either.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) reacts as he walks to the dugout after being pulled from the game by manager Aaron Boone (17) in the sixth inning. Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the division\u2019s wide open,\u201d Schlittler said. \u201cTampa\u2019s got a couple games on us, Boston\u2019s right behind us. I think [if] we separate ourselves from Boston this weekend, it puts us in a good spot and we got a really big series against Tampa down the road. It\u2019s wide open. We had a good opportunity last year and it ends in a tie [with the Blue Jays]. That\u2019s frustrating. We got to make sure we put ourselves in a position where that doesn\u2019t happen again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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