The Yankees inched closer to their first playoff berth since 2012 on Wednesday night, but they continued to do so while moving in reverse, dropping their third consecutive game to the Boston Red Sox, 9-5, in 11 innings.
A night of scoreboard watching that produced the right combination of results elsewhere ended in disappointment for the Yankees as the Red Sox pummeled the back end of their bullpen for four runs in the 11th, including a two-run blast by Mookie Betts, his second home run of the game.
The Yankees began the day needing a victory and some help to clinch a playoff spot.