(New York) Giancarlo Stanton drove in four runs and the New York Yankees were declared American East sectional champions Thursday with a 10-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
The New Yorkers can therefore move directly to the second round of the series.
Stanton hit a three-run double and a solo homer.
Aaron Judge shot a 58e long ball, a high in the big leagues.
He sent a ball over the fences in a fifth match in a row.
He has 144 RBIs, the highest total in major league baseball since 2008, when Ryan Howard collected 146.
Alex Verdugo also homered for the Yankees, who had lost their last two games.
The team will begin the playoffs on October 5, at home. The regular season ends on September 29.
Gerrit Cole (8-5) allowed two hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings, striking out five batters.
The 2023 American Cy Young winner made 101 shots.
The Yankees and Cleveland Guardians struggle to gain home field advantage throughout their playoff run.
The New Yorkers’ record is 93-66, the Guardians’ record is 92-67. The deadlock break would go in favor of the Bronx Bombers.
The Yankees missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016.
Corbin Burnes (15-9) allowed one run and two hits in five innings, striking out nine batters.