Romine, Yankees thwart Orioles' bid for playoff berth
NEW YORK -- Austin Romine delivered a tiebreaking two-run double with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning and the New York Yankees prevented the Baltimore Orioles from clinching a postseason berth by rallying for a 7-3 victory on Saturday.
The Orioles (88-73) began Saturday with a one-game lead over Toronto for the first wild-card spot and a 1 1/2-game advantage over Detroit.
In addition to needing to win, Baltimore required either a Toronto or Detroit loss to get its third playoff berth in five seasons. To secure home-field advantage in Tuesday's wild-card game, the Orioles needed a win along with losses by the Blue Jays and Tigers.
The Yankees (84-77) ensured the wild-card race would go down to the last day of the regular season as Romine slapped a 2-0 pitch from Brad Brach (10-4) into short left field.
Before Romine's hit, pinch hitter Jacoby Ellsbury walked and went to third on Chase Headley's double down the right-field line. Both runners scored easily to give New York its only lead of the game.
New York added insurance runs on a two-run double by Brett Gardner off Oliver Drake.
The Yankees were in position to win in their last at-bat by coming back from a 3-0 deficit against Wade Miley. Tyler Austin helped the comeback with an RBI single and tied the game by leading off the seventh with his fifth home run.
Headley also had an RBI double in between Austin's run-scoring hits.
Mark Trumbo had four hits, Manny Machado homered and Michael Bourn had a two-run single for the Orioles, who lost for the second time in their last eight games.
After Luis Severino went the first 3 2/3 innings, the Yankees used five relievers the rest of the way. Tyler Clippard (2-3) pitched a hitless eighth for the win and slumping closer Dellin Betances finished up in a non-save situation.
Miley had 99 pitches through six innings and manager Buck Showalter allowed him to start the seventh. The move backfired when Austin homered into the Yankees' bullpen beyond the right-center field wall on a full count off-speed pitch.
The Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the second. They had first and second with one out after Trumbo doubled to deep right and Davis walked.
With two outs, they scored when Bourn lined a single up the middle.
Baltimore extended the lead to 3-0 when Machado hit an 0-2 fastball into the right-field seats.
NOTES: Baltimore announced RHP Kevin Gausman will start Sunday's game, though it could change if the Orioles clinch the first wild card spot. ... Saturday marked the 55th anniversary of Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth's single-season home run record by hitting his 61st home run off Boston's Tracy Stallard. The Yankees handed out promotional bobbleheads, celebrated the milestone with a pregame ceremony and had one of his sons throw out the ceremonial first pitch. ... Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles were not planning to stick around at Yankee Stadium after the game to see if Toronto and Detroit lose. ... Yankees C/DH Gary Sanchez, who has one hit in his last 26 at-bats, was not in the starting lineup. ... Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he addressed the team before Friday's game.