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Rodón’s 8 Shutout Innings Lift Yankees Past Rays

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 12:24 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón threw eight shutout innings in a 2-0 win over the Rays.
Rodón earned his 100th career win and his 1,500th strikeout.
Yankees slugger Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer off Rays pitcher Nick Martinez, supplying all Yankees runs.
The Yankees secured the AL top wild-card spot, six games ahead of Boston.
Yankees closer David Bednar recorded his 35th save.

History

Historical Context

The MLB wild-card, created by the 1994 realignment and first used in 1995, let the New York Yankees enter the postseason that year with a 79-65 record—the franchise’s inaugural wild-card berth. By 2024 the Yankees have matched the Tampa Bay Rays with five wild-card appearances, underscoring the format’s lasting impact on sustained competitiveness.

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Story summary

Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón threw eight shutout innings in a 2-0 win over the Rays.
Rodón earned his 100th career win and his 1,500th strikeout.
Yankees slugger Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer off Rays pitcher Nick Martinez, supplying all Yankees runs.
The Yankees secured the AL top wild-card spot, six games ahead of Boston.
Yankees closer David Bednar recorded his 35th save.

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