New York Yankees Win AL East Title With Tampa Bay Rays Victory
The New York Yankees swept the Tampa Bay Rays aside after a double header ended Wednesday with a 4-2 victory, helping the team clinch the AL East Title.
Although some questioned whether the Boston Red Sox would stand in the way of the Yankees’ chance at the division title, the Sox’ recent 6-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles solidified the New York Team’s position.
Joe Girardi, Yankees manager, said although everyone was unsure whether his team would pull through, he was always confident in them.
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“It’s not often that we’re considered the underdogs, but I understood it with the moves that they had made,” Girardi said, according to The New York Times. “But this is a special group. This is a group that knows how to win.”
Jorge Posada, Yankees’ switch hitter, was able to step up for the team when he got a two-run single and broke a 2-2 tie for the team. Girardi admitted that he didn’t always feel the need to play Posada in every game, but he was always confident in his talent and capabilities.
“There were times I sat him for a little bit, and I told you I still believe he’s a guy that’s going to help us,” Girardi said. “And that’s exactly what he’s done.”
The Yankees celebrated victoriously by the pitcher’s mound once the win was confirmed in the ninth inning. Team members embraced one another and appeared with champagne.
Derek Jeter, Yankees captain, expressed his happiness after many ups and downs over the season.
“It’s very satisfying,” Jeter said, according to The New York Times. “You can’t sit down and figure out what’s going to happen before a season starts. You have to go out there and play the games. We know how good the other teams are in our division and in baseball, but we had confidence in our own team.”
