Yankees Swept by Rays After Controversial Call, Box Score Stats, Highlights, New MLB Playoff Bracket

The New York Yankees were back home for Game 3 of their ALDS matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night, hoping to avoid a sweep. But Yankee Stadium itself played an instrumental role in what was ultimately a disappointing night for the team.

Ryan Vilade's homer that barely snuck over the short perch in right field, Victor Mesa Jr.'s moonshot to that same part of the park and an Anthony Volpe blast that was initially ruled a homer before being overturned due to fan interference all played a huge role in Tampa's 4-3 win, ending the series.

Here's a look at the game's top performers:

Key Batters	H/AB	R	RBI	HR	BB
Victor Mesa Jr., TB	1/4	1	2	1	0
Jonathan Aranda, TB	1/3	0	1	0	0
Ryan Vilade, TB	1/2	1	1	1	0
Junior Caminero, TB	1/4	1	0	0	0
Ben Rice, NYY	1/4	0	1	0	0
Anthony Volpe, NYY	2/4	1	1	0	0
Spencer Jones, NYY	1/2	1	1	0	2
Key Pitchers	IP	H	ER	BB	K
Nick Martinez, TB	3.5	5	2	1	3
Ian Seymour, TB (W)	1.1	1	0	0	2
Bryan Baker, TB (S)	1.0	0	0	1	2
Max Fried, NYY (L)	5.2	7	4	0	7

Here's an updated look at the MLB bracket:

The Rays may have swept the Yankees, but it was hardly a one-sided series, and Wednesday's finale packed plenty of drama.

After two scoreless innings from both Max Fried, the Rays opened the scoring in the top of the third on an RBI single from Jonathan Aranda.

Ben Rice quickly answered back in the bottom half of the frame, however, with an RBI single of his own.

The back-and-forth scoring between the teams quickly became a theme.

Singles weren't necessarily a part of that theme, however, as Vilade snuck a homer over the short perch in right field in the top of the fourth:

Again the Yankees responded immediately and tied the game, this time courtesy of Spencer Jones.

But the Rays seized the lead back in the top of the top—and chased Max Fried out of the game in the process—with a no-doubter to right field from Victor Mesa Jr. to give the Rays a 4-2 lead.

You'll never guess what happened in the bottom of the sixth.

This time the Yankees didn't tie the game, though they came close, as Volpe's double to left field—initially ruled a homer before replay showed clear fan interference—cut the deficit in half.

"After viewing all relevant angles, the Replay Official definitively determined the spectator interfered with the ball over the field of play," MLB said in a statement. "The ball would not have left the playing field nor would it have been caught. The call is overturned, there was spectator interference and no home run. Additionally, the Replay Official scored one run and placed the batter-runner at second."

The Yankees still had three innings to erase the deficit from there but couldn't solve Tampa's bullpen, ending their season.

The Rays will now await either the Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS. The White Sox currently lead that series 2-1.

As for the Yankees, the attention now turns to the offseason and re-tooling a roster that simply couldn't will the Yankees further in the playoffs without the injured Aaron Judge. A few folks in the Big Apple will probably have some thoughts on what the Yankees should do this winter.