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 Domínguez. Wells was hit by a pitch from Colin Holderman (3-6), and Domínguez 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 York’s postseason rotation a day after rookie L.