NEW YORK -- It is only the first checkpoint of a postseason journey that the Yankees hope will stretch deep into October, but if they had to choose an opponent to step over first, there are few they’d enjoy sending home more than the Red Sox.
Let the celebration begin: For the second consecutive year, that’s exactly what they’ve done.
Luis García Jr. hit an early homer and Cody Bellinger delivered a three-run dagger late as the Yankees trounced the Red Sox, 9-2, on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, sweeping the two-game American League Wild Card Series and advancing into the AL Division Series against the Rays.
Game 1 of the ALDS is scheduled for Saturday at Tropicana Field.
"That was very satisfying to play that well in these two games -- and that's what it was," said manager Aaron Boone. "They played great and beat a really good team that deserves a lot of credit for, was down and out in the middle of the season and fought their way back to being a no-doubt into the playoffs by the end.
"Just really pleased with how we played. Obviously, we're really going to enjoy that and excited to get our shot at a really good Tampa club."
Following Cam Schlittler’s lead from the series opener, Max Fried hurled six innings of one-run ball, then leaned on the bats to do the rest against their most historic rival. They did that and then some; it had been expected to be a low-scoring series, but the Yankees made it a lopsided one.
"Being able to celebrate with your teammates after a playoff series win is, it doesn't get old," said Fried. "This is what we start practicing in February for. This is where we want to be. So just about playing our game, having fun and hopefully we've got a couple more of these that we can do."
Imported to supply power with Aaron Judge on the injured list, García's big fourth-inning swing represented the first dent against one-time Yankee Sonny Gray, who was touched for a pair of runs before exiting to a loud chorus of boos in the fifth.
Born in New York and counting himself as a Yankees fan before moving to the Dominican Republic in early childhood, García beamed as he crossed home plate, pointing into the crowd. He hit 30 home runs during the regular season, seven after being acquired from the Nationals in August.
Bellinger caught the ceremonial first pitch from his father, Clay, then delivered a run-scoring single to greet left-hander Erik Miller in the fifth – the second time in as many nights Miller surrendered a run to the first batter he faced, having allowed Ben Rice’s first homer in Game 1.
The Yankees broke it open with a six-run sixth, sending 10 batters to the plate. Rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. collected his first postseason RBI, setting up Austin Wells and Ryan McMahon to knock in runs. Bellinger capped it, slugging a Garrett Whitlock changeup into the seats.
Bellinger savored his trip around the bases.
"I really just kind of enjoyed it," he said. "This atmosphere is so fun to play in. Hopefully we get many more this coming month."
Willson Contreras and Nick Sogard homered for the Red Sox, who went 26 innings without scoring a postseason run before Contreras’ sixth-inning shot off Fried – a streak that dated back to Game 2 of last year’s AL Wild Card Series in the Bronx.