NEW YORK -- The Yankees' plans to clinch a playoff spot have been spoiled for several days and they tried again without two of their regulars in the lineup Thursday.
Before the Yankees took on the Red Sox in the finale of a four-game set and their final regular-season home game, manager Joe Girardi said that both Jacoby Ellsbury and Chase Headley were dealing with sore backs.
Ellsbury and Headley, both underwent treatment Thursday. In their places, Brett Gardner played center and Brendan Ryan assumed duties at the hot corner.