Good morning, New York. A sweep ends the Yankees’ season, an overtime heartbreaker leaves the Liberty on the brink, and today marks 70 years since Don Larsen’s October masterpiece.
The Yankees’ October is over. Victor Mesa Jr.’s sixth-inning, two-run homer off Max Fried supplied the difference in Tampa Bay’s 4–3 win in the Bronx, completing a three-game ALDS sweep. New York hit .130, scored five runs and never led in the series, and its title drought now reaches 17 seasons, matching the wait between its 1978 and 1996 championships.
Reach back: Anthony Volpe’s would-be tying two-run homer in the sixth was overturned for fan interference and became an RBI double. Thirty years after Jeffrey Maier helped the Yankees, a fan cost them, and New York never got another runner past second.
Broken clubhouse: “It’s a broken clubhouse,” Aaron Boone says. He has one year left on his contract and wants to come back, but says talk of his future is “for another day.”
Bronx boos: Headed for free agency and possibly done in pinstripes, Jazz Chisholm Jr. questions the crowd’s approach: “It’s just confusing because it’s the playoffs, and we’re trying to win games. So you’re booing a guy that’s playing, currently trying to help the team win.” His perspective? “I’ve seen Aaron Judge get booed here, too. So, who am I? That’s a three-time MVP.”
Backs to Barclays
Breanna Stewart scored 35, but Sabrina Ionescu’s late turnover sealed Atlanta’s 101–98 overtime win over the Liberty. New York now trails the best-of-five semifinals 2–0 and faces elimination Friday in Brooklyn.
Let it slip: Marine Fauthoux’s three with 10.3 seconds left forced overtime, and Jonquel Jones’ three put New York up 96–93 with 2:01 to go. Atlanta closed on an 8–2 run, and Naz Hillmon’s layup put the Dream ahead for good.
One at a time: New York needs three straight wins to reach the Finals. Stewart keeps the focus narrower: “We’re not focused on winning three games straight right now. We’re focused on winning one game.” Game 3 tips Friday at Barclays Center, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
On This Day
Seventy years ago today, on October 8, 1956, Don Larsen threw a perfect game in Game 5 of the World Series, retiring all 27 Brooklyn Dodgers in a 2–0 Yankees win. Yogi Berra’s leap into Larsen’s arms supplied the lasting image; the Yankees finished the job in seven games.
What to Watch
Blackhawks at Islanders, Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET (MSGSN): The Isles (1-2-0) try to get back to .500.
Wizards at Knicks, Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET (MSG/NBA TV): The Knicks play their first preseason game at the Garden.
76ers at Nets, Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET (YES): Brooklyn plays its only preseason game at Barclays.
Dream at Liberty, Game 3, Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2): It’s win or go home at Barclays.
Rangers at Capitals, Tomorrow, 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network): The Rangers (4-1) go for a fifth straight win.