NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees showed they can do the little things and hit the long ball in their 9-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night, a game that helped New York advance to the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays starting Saturday night. 

It was 2-1 in favor of New York when they put the game on ice in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was the young bucks on the Yankees who started things off. With Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet on the mound, it appeared that Spencer Jones struck out. However, the ball went by catcher Adley Rutschman for a wild pitch and Jones was able to beat the throw to first base.

“I couldn't believe (Jones) was there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said to reporters. “I saw the ball squirt away (from Rutschman) a little bit. I didn't think that much of it, and looked up and I was like, ‘Oh, he is safe.’  He got down there really good. You guys have covered us and have seen Spencer run. When he gets it going, he can really go. But great job there.”

Jones stole second and then advanced to third on a throwing error by Rutschman. George Lombard Jr. then singled to right field to send home Jones.  

“George is mature beyond his years. He is a really good player. He has a slow heartbeat. He showed up so far in this series. I’m excited to see how it goes in the next one,” left-hander Max Fried told reporters.

Lombard was humble when talking about his RBI single.

It was a massive play from Spencer. He didn’t finish the at-bat like he would have wanted,” Lombard said. “But he showed his character. He busted his butt. He got all the way to third base and he made my job way easier."   

New York would score four more runs that inning. Cody Bellinger highlighted the frame with a three-run homer off right-hander Garrett Whitlock.

“Baseball can be a whacky sport. You see something new every day. Just gotta keep on going out, playing. Great series, but we've got a lot more to do,” Bellinger said.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.