ST. PETERSBURG -- The Yankees have maintained their confidence in Gary Sanchez as he endures the most trying season of his career, believing that the power-hitting catcher still has the talent and work ethic to impact their postseason drive.
Sanchez rewarded that faith on Wednesday evening by enjoying a four-RBI performance, homering as part of a seven-run third inning as the Yankees boosted Luis Severino to his 19th victory, rolling to a 9-2 rout of the Rays at Tropicana Field.
New York's magic number to secure home-field advantage in the American League Wild Card Game was trimmed to four, though the actual number is three because they hold the intra-division tiebreaker over the Athletics.