The Tampa Bay Rays eliminated the New York Yankees from the American League Division Series with a 4-3 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday night, completing a three-game sweep and ending New York's season. The game’s pivotal moment came in the sixth inning when Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe’s deep drive to left field was ruled fan interference after a video review, negating what had initially been called a two-run home run that would have tied the game.
Volpe, who had rounded the bases awaiting the ruling, was instead credited with an RBI double, driving in one run but leaving the Yankees trailing. The decision came from Major League Baseball’s Replay Center, where replay umpire Malachi Moore determined that a fan reached over the outfield wall and made contact with the ball as Rays left fielder Victor Mesa Jr attempted a leaping catch. Mesa said he believed he might have caught the ball himself if not for the interference.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the ruling as correct after reviewing the footage, while Rays manager Kevin Cash explained that the runner's position at the time of interference justified awarding only one run and placing Volpe at second base. The fan involved was escorted from Yankee Stadium by security personnel shortly after the play.
The overturned call marked a stark contrast to a similar event just under 30 years prior, when fan interference during the 1996 AL Championship Series benefited the Yankees in a game against Baltimore. This latest incident underscored advances in replay technology that have since influenced critical postseason decisions.
Before the controversial ruling, Volpe had connected with a 96 mph sinker from pitcher Griffin Jax, sending the ball an estimated 357 feet toward left field with runners on base. Aaron Judge, sidelined with injury and watching the series, commented that Volpe’s swing had good potential for a home run. Still, the interference ultimately sealed the Yankees’ fate, with Volpe reflecting on the loss succinctly: “I mean, we lost. That’s what we’re dealing with now. That’s just what happened.”
Earlier in the game, Rays starter Max Fried allowed a two-run homer to Mesa, contributing to Tampa Bay’s lead that the Yankees sought to overcome. The Rays, known for one of the league’s smallest payrolls, now advance to face either the Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series.
In National League action, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-1 to clinch their Division Series 3-1. Andy Pages provided a key contribution with a bases-loaded single in the seventh inning, driving in two runs that gave the Dodgers the lead. Max Muncy added a solo home run in the ninth inning to extend his postseason franchise record to 19 homers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts highlighted the need for rest ahead of the NL Championship Series, with stars such as Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman expected to benefit from a few days’ recovery.
Atlanta struggled with control throughout the series, issuing 18 walks without capitalizing on any for runs. Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow, making his first start since late September, limited the Braves to one hit over four and two-thirds innings despite five walks, helping set the tone for the Dodgers’ advancement.
The Rays and Dodgers will continue their playoff runs with an opportunity to advance toward the World Series.