Yanks rally from 14 back, win playoff over Sox
Oct. 2, 1978
Coming from behind is nothing new for the New York Yankees. They trailed Boston by 14 games in mid-July, and here they are today in a one-game playoff against the Red Sox for the American League East title.
Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent, who has four homers and 37 RBI, faces right-hander Mike Torrez, a 16-game winner, with two runners on base and the Red Sox leading 2-0. Dent lifts a high fly ball to left field at Fenway Park, and when it goes over the Green Monster, the Yankees have a 3-2 lead. Dent becomes an unlikely star.
Carl Yastrzemski, who has been a star for the Red Sox for years, has a chance to be a hero again in the ninth inning when he bats with runners at the corners with two outs and Boston down 5-4. But Goose Gossage retires Yaz on a popup to third baseman Graig Nettles, nailing down Ron Guidry's 25th victory (against three defeats) and, more importantly, the division crown for the Yankees.
