Yankees clinch playoff berth on Caballero nine-pitch walk-off vs Sox

The New York Yankees clinched a postseason berth Tuesday when utilityman José Caballero delivered a ninth-inning, nine-pitch walkoff single to lift New York to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox, securing a playoff spot with five regular-season games remaining. The win kept the Yankees within a game of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East and likely sets up a best-of-three Wild Card Series in the Bronx against the Boston Red Sox.

The rally began in the ninth with back-to-back singles by Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells before Trent Grisham grounded into a double play. The White Sox intentionally walked Aaron Judge to load the bases with two outs. On a full count, reliever Brandon Eisert’s pitch got away, allowing Volpe to score and tie the game at 2-2. Caballero then worked a nine-pitch at bat and singled to center, scoring Judge and ending the game. Team records show it was the first Yankees walkoff produced on a nine-plus pitch at bat since 2002.

Caballero, acquired at the trade deadline from Tampa Bay, has become a sparkplug for New York since joining the roster. The 27-year-old leads Major League Baseball in stolen bases after the trade, and has hit .284...