The 1978 American League East tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff between rivals New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on October 2, 1978. The Yankees and Red Sox finished the 1978 season tied for first place in the American League (AL) East division with identical 99–63 records, necessitating the additional one-game playoff. The Red Sox were the home team by virtue of a coin toss. The playoff was counted as a regular-season game for statistical purposes. In baseball statistics, the tie-breaker counted as the 163rd regular season game for both teams, with all events in the game added to regular season statistics.
Ron Guidry started for the Yankees, while Mike Torrez started for the Red Sox. The Yankees fell behind 2–0, with a home run by Carl Yastrzemski and a run batted in single by Jim Rice. The Yankees took the lead on a three run home run by Bucky Dent. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 5–4, with Guidry getting the win, while Goose Gossage recorded a save. With the victory, the Yankees clinched the AL East championship, en route to winning the 1978 World Series.
Read more about 1978 American League East Tie-breaker Game: Background, The Game, Line Score, Box Score, Aftermath, References
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