Yankees wake up in ninth, walk it off in extras for dramatic win over Braves

From the depths of despair, the Yankees remained in second place, at least for a night.One out away from being shut out and allowing the blazing-hot Red Sox to leapfrog them in the standings, the Yankees’ bats finally woke up in time to stop their slide for the time being.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

Trailing by two runs entering the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees came back to tie it before winning it in the 10th on Ryan McMahon’s walk-off sacrifice fly for a 3-2 win over the Braves on Friday night in The Bronx.After José Caballero failed to get a bunt down and struck out on a foul attempt to lead off the bottom of the 10th against righty Tyler Kinley, the Braves intentionally walked Spencer Jones to bring up George Lombard Jr., who drew a full-count walk to load the bases.McMahon, who had two of the Yankees’ four hits entering the ninth inning, then worked another full count before delivering the game-winning fly ball to right field that was deep enough to score Luis García Jr.from third.And so the Yankees (65-51) staved off third place in the AL East — for what would have been the first time this season — and dropping into the second AL wild card, staying a half-game ahead of the Red Sox, who won their ninth straight game and improved to 32-5 over their last 37. In the process, they snapped the Braves’ eight-game winning streak.When the Yankees stranded a pair of runners in the bottom of the eighth, it appeared to be their last gasp.

But then, with one out in the bottom of the ninth, Lombard, in his third career game, reached on a swinging bunt and raced all the way to third on Braves closer Raisel Iglesias’ wild throwing error.One out later, Austin Wells roped a double to right field to make it 2-1 and at least wipe away the shutout.Amed Rosario then drew a walk before Ben Rice — who walked to the plate in a 2-for-33 skid — la...