Yankees Edge Red Sox 4-3 to Force Decisive Game 3 in AL Wild Card Series

The New York Yankees kept their postseason hopes alive with a 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. The series is now tied 1-1, with a decisive Game 3 scheduled for Thursday evening.

Ben Rice, making his postseason debut, launched a two-run homer in the first inning off Red Sox starter Brayan Bello, giving the Yankees an early lead. The Red Sox responded in the third inning when Trevor Story delivered a two-run single, tying the game at 2-2.

In the fifth inning, Aaron Judge's RBI single put the Yankees ahead again, but Story's solo home run in the sixth inning off Yankees starter Carlos Rodón evened the score at 3-3. Rodón pitched into the seventh inning, allowing three runs on six hits.

The game's pivotal moment came in the eighth inning. With two outs, Jazz Chisholm Jr. drew a walk and was running on a full-count pitch when Austin Wells lined a single down the right-field line. Chisholm raced around the bases and slid headfirst into home plate, narrowly beating the throw to score the go-ahead run.

The Yankees' bullpen held the lead, with Devin Williams pitching a scoreless eighth inning and David Bednar securing the save in the ninth. The victory forces a winner-take-all Game 3, with the winner advancing to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Division Series.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on the series: "What a game. I mean, it has been two great games, these first two. A lot of big plays on both sides."

Red Sox manager Alex Cora looked ahead to Game 3: "Should be a fun night."

Rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler is set to start Game 3 for the Yankees, while the Red Sox will counter with rookie left-hander Connelly Early.