AL wild card spots still unclaimed as Yankees lose to Rays, Red Sox, Blue Jays both win

NEW YORK — At times Friday night at Yankee Stadium, it was quiet enough to really study the out-of-town scoreboard and wonder about worst-case scenarios.

The Red Sox were leading the last-place Nationals.

The Blue Jays were leading the last-place Orioles.

And on the Bronx diamond, the first-place Rays – with nothing more to clinch this regular season – were leading the Yankees by a run.

That lead became a three-run edge in the ninth, but the Yankees almost rallied all the way back.

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But in falling 4-3, before 41,469 fans, the Yankees lost a big measure of comfort despite maintaining their lead in the AL wild card standings with two games to play.

Boston (90-70) won its game, 4-2, to move one slim game behind the Yanks (91-69).

Toronto (89-71) won its game at home, 6-4. Seattle (89-70) hosted the Los Angeles Angels in a late game.

All four clubs are still vying for one of the two AL wild card spots with Game 161 on deck Saturday.

"It's right up there,'' Boone said of scoreboard watching. "So, you pay attention to what's going on.''

Late comeback falls short 

In the ninth inning, the Rays lead expanded to 4-1 as Wander Franco grounded a two-out, two-run single to center against Albert Abreu, the runs charged to Domingo German.

Yet, the Yanks mounted a stiff challenge against Andrew Kittredge after he retired Aaron Judge to start the bottom of the ninth.

Giancarlo Stanton doubled, moved up on defensive indifference and scored on Joey Gallo’s patented, bunt single against the shift.

After Gio Urshela and Brett Gardner (RBI) delivered singles, Kittredge got tough with the tying run at second and the winning run on first.

The right-hander struck out both pinch-hitter Gary Sanchez and Rougned Odor, starting at third base for DJ LeMahieu (sore hip).

"Love the fight at the end and the quality of the at-bats,'' said Boone. "Just couldn’t break through.''

On the verge 

Boone’s club had returned home Friday in a giddy state, having won five of six games on the road at Boston and Toronto.

With a two-game lead on Boston atop the wild card with three games to play entering this final regular season series, the Yankees needed a win and a loss by either the Red Sox or Mariners to punch a postseason ticket.

Tampa Bay took a quick 1-0 lead on the ageless Nelson Cruz’s 32nd homer of the year, against lefty starter Nestor Cortes, charged with two runs in 4.2 innings. 

Three singles, concluding with Kevin Kiermaiers soft RBI hit, gave the Rays a 2-1 lead in the second and Tampa Bay held that advantage through a chain of relievers.

Lefty starter Shane McClanahan gave up a bullet of an opposite-field, first-inning RBI single to Giancarlo Stanton, scoring Gleyber Torres.

Batting in the leadoff spot Friday, Torres opened with a double to left and moved up on a wild pitch.

On the mend 

LeMahieu was not in Friday’s lineup, resting a sore left hip, and Boone said he was unavailable off the bench. His status will be re-evaluated Saturday. 

“I think it’s something we’re just going to have to manage through the rest of the way,’’ said Boone before the game.

LeMahieu had exited Thursday night’s game at Toronto after three at-bats, and was rested from last Saturday’s lineup at Boston due to the vague hip/groin issue that may or may not require surgery after the season.

Also, Sanchez was not in Friday’s lineup as a manager’s decision.

Boone liked the matchup better with Kyle Higashioka catching his third straight game Friday, preferring to start Sanchez behind the plate for Saturday’s start with lefty Jordan Montgomery.

Bullpen reinforcements 

Yankees reliever Jonathan Loaisiga pitched out of a bases loaded jam to end the seventh, striking out Wander Franco, whose 43-game on-base streak came to an end Thursday at Houston.

Domingo German followed in relief, making his first appearance since a July 31 start at Miami, and was charged with two runs in 1.1 innings. 

Not built up enough to re-join the rotation, German could be a multi-inning weapon in relief, adding to the likes of Luis Severino, Chad Green and Loaisiga to increase the bullpen’s strength and depth.

Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. Email: caldera@northjersey.com Twitter: @pcaldera