Verdugo hits go-ahead single as Yankees end regular season with 6-4 win over Pirates

NEW YORK (AP) Alex Verdugo hit a go-ahead, two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning and the New York Yankees ended the regular season with a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Struggling for most of the second half, Verdugo snapped a 4-all tie by hitting a fastball from Carmen Mlodzinski into right field to score Austin Wells and Jasson Dominguez.

Wells was hit by a pitch from Colin Holderman (3-6), and Dominguez walked.

Following a walk by Jon Berti, Verdugo delivered his fourth hit in 24 at-bats with the bases loaded.

Acquired from Boston in December, Verdugo batted .233 in his first season with the Yankees.

Luke Weaver (7-3) stranded a runner in the eighth and Clay Holmes struck out Oneil Cruz on a sweeper for his 30th save in 43 chances.

It was Holmes first save since Aug.

30 against St.

Louis.

AL East champion New York (94-68) clinched home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs Saturday when the Cleveland Guardians lost to the Houston Astros.

Pittsburgh (76-86) matched its record from last year and finished its sixth straight losing season.

Trent Grisham hit a two-run homer two pitches in and had an RBI single after being a late addition to the Yankees' lineup.

Aaron Judge was scratched shortly before a 91-minute rain delay at the start.

Pitching in the rain, Clarke Schmidt allowed four runs and four hits in four-plus innings in an audition for New Yorks postseason rotation a day after rookie Luis Gil gave up four homers in similar conditions.

Schmidt exited after walking Bryan Reynolds.

Mark Leiter Jr.

gave up a tying double to Joey Bart.

Pittsburgh starter Bailey Falter allowed four runs and four hits in three innings.

Story continues below video IN THE SEATS The Yankees drew 3,309,838 for 79 home dates, a slight increase from 3,269,016 for 80 home dates in 2023 when they won 82 games.

New York had 17 sellouts, the third-most at the current Yankee Stadium and their most since having 23 in 2018 TRAINERS ROOM Yankees: 1B Anthony Rizzo, who fractured the fourth and fifth fingers in his right hand Saturday, was not put on the injured list and will get treatment.

...

RHP Jake Cousins (right pectoral strain) threw on back-to-back days before taking Sunday off.

He is to throw again Monday, have a bullpen session Tuesday and face hitters Thursday.

...

INF DJ LeMahieu (right hip impingement) will participate in workouts ahead of the AL Division Series.

UP NEXT Pirates: Open spring training at the Orioles on Feb.

22 in Sarasota, Florida.

Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole starts Game 1 of the Division Series on Saturday in the Bronx against Baltimore or Kansas City.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB.

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