Yankees clinch playoff berth with win over Rays

September 21, 2011 by Mike Axisa 35 Comments

For the third straight year and 16th time in the last 17 years, the Yankees are headed to the playoffs. They clinched no worse than the wildcard spot with this afternoon’s win over the Rays, and they can clinch the AL East crown as soon as tonight with a win in the second game of the doubleheader and a Red Sox loss. A full game recap will be up shortly.

Dela G

All we do is win win win no matter what….
David, Jr.

Nunez two hits, home run, two steals.

Time to shine, baby!
- Monteroisdinero
  
  Everyone so concerned about our “b” lineup. Is Nunez A or B? Guy can give Cano/Jeter/Arod a day off and usually does something good although he has had some bad moments. Gotta love it.
  - Old Roman
    
    I love Noonie! Most of his bad moments seem to be due to rookie over-eagerness. He’s been settling down, more or less; and next year I see him as a potential super-sub.
    - http://RAB Nuke LaDoosh
      
      Think of the VALUE the keepers (refused throw-ins) in the Montero/Lee aborted trade have today (Nunez and Nova.)
      - FIPster Doofus
        
        Jack Z. fucked up.
    - Cris Pengiuci
      
      As the infield ages, Nunez becomes more valuable. Glad the Yankees kept him around. Love the speed and he’s hit at reasonable rate.
  - Brian S.
    
    At one point Nunez was a quality player on offense with a wRC+ of 110. He had an AWFUL month and a half which is why his batting line looks like crap now but going forward I think he will be a great utility infielder.
  - https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.
    
    He’s a “B” guy to be sure, but there’s no shame in that when you’re on the New York Yankees. He’s definitely an asset to the team.
mustang

As fan I like to say

THANK YOU!
- mustang
  
  From 1981 to 1995 nothing
  
  From 1996 to today 16 out of 17
  
  After waiting that long I would of never believe they would be this good.
  
  Just amazing!
  - http://RAB Nuke LaDoosh
    
    always darkest just before the dawn …
    - mustang
      
      I know a lot of people here haven’t and I hope that they never will, but I saw a LOT of darkness before dawn.
      
      LOL
      
      Where have you gone Andy Hawkins?…..LOL
      - Adam
        
        Thank you, thank you, thank you. As someone from the same era, I can’t agree more. We’ve gone from watching some of the worst Yankee teams to consistently the best. It really does give a lot of perspective that more recent fans who freak out about every loss seem to miss.
        
        http://RAB Nuke LaDoosh
        
        was there with you…makes these years so much the better.
        
        mustang
        
        Who would of know after Ken Griffey Jr. broke my heart after all those years that it was going to be like this.
      - mustang
        
        And Kevin Mass
        Sam Mititallo
        Brien Taylor
        
        OMG!!!
        
        Adam
        
        Mark Salas, Dan Pasqua and Lee Guetterman. Wow, I do not miss those days.
        
        bobtaco
        
        Alvaro Espinoza… Cecilio Guante… Wayne Tolleson…. Henry Cotto…
        
        mustang
        
        NOT ONE BIT.
        
        People just don’t realize what they have in guys like Mo, Jeter, Cano and the current Yankees franchise. The word blessed comes to mind.
  - mustang
    
    It makes every time that much sweeter.
jon

part of me kinda wanted to let the rays win these 2 games just to put more pressure on the red sox

o well
- Vocabulary
  
  Really stupid thought, Jon. A true fan always roots for his team. No exceptions–ever. Nothing gets in the way.
  - D-Rob’s Great Escape
    
    That’s why I think some fans of BOS that said they didn’t want NY to win these games because they could never root for the Yankees aren’t real fans of their team, you want whats best for your team not whats worse for your rival. You can bet your ass if NY was in BOS situation I would have been rooting for them to beat TB.
- Bulasteve
  
  Would rather face the Sux than the Rays in the ALCS.
bonestock94

woooooooooooooooooooo, can’t wait till they clinch the division and throw a AAA lineup daily.
Chen Meng Wang

Any chance we see Betances after we clinch? I would really love to see this kid pitch, maybe next season if the AAA Yankees are in Staten Island I can see him if not.
theyankeewarrior

Awesome season thus far. Fun as hell.

Go O’s. Clinch the East. Rest the regulars. Sweep the Sox. Line CC up.

Bring on the Dexas Rangers.
- D-Rob’s Great Escape
  
  I agree with everything you said but I bet we play DET not TX, they both have the same record but TX hasn’t clinched yet so they will probaly try harder to win down the stretch and end up with a better record because of it.
Karl Krawfid

Wally Matthews said the Yankees will win the AL East because we signed Soriano.

He was correct.

Bow to master Wally Matthews.
- D-Rob’s Great Escape
  
  LOL, your right I remember that.
- Urban
  
  Wait, you mean Wally once wrote something positive about the Yankees?
David, Jr.

Lots of petty little criticisms all year toward Cashman and Girardi.

I give them both A+. Despite a retirement that definitely hurt the Yankees, and a very significant injury to one of the best players in baseball, their management will bring an AL East winner, the best record in the AL which will mean home field advantage, a rested and ready World Series contender, the development of significant young players, and the complete retention of a very strong farm system for the future.
Buck Foston

My favorite part of this season (so far)?

D-Rob stepping up and showing he’s the fucking man. Nothing gives a fan peace of mind like having a solid bullpen.
Urban

Hooah!