The Yankees, with a slew of help elsewhere Monday night, could have secured their first playoff berth since 2012.
But, Joe Girardi said earlier in the day, "We have to take care of business first. We have to win."
It didn't happen, delaying what remains all but inevitable for another day or two.
Ivan Nova pitched reasonably well but two fastballs got away from him, leading to a pair of two-out, two-run homers that helped send the Yankees to a 5-1 loss to the Red Sox in front of 39,476 at the Stadium.
The Yankees (86-70), still a virtual lock to host the one-game AL wild-card playoff next Tuesday, had a slim chance of clinching their playoff spot Monday night had the Twins, Rangers and Angels all lost.