Yankees clinch playoff spot after 2-year absence, top Boston

New York Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova, left, pours champagne on New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez as the Yankees celebrated their 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox to clinch a wild card berth in the playoffs after a baseball game in New York, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. New York Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova, left, pours champagne on New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez as the Yankees celebrated their 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox to clinch a wild card berth in the playoffs after a baseball game in New York, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015.

By Associated Press October 2, 2015 5 min read

NEW YORK – CC Sabathia stood near his locker in the back of the oval Yankees clubhouse while excited teammates celebrated New York’s return to the postseason.

“It feels like an eternity,” the big left-hander said, not trying to hide his relief.

With some help from the one of the old guard, the next generation of Yankees will have a chance to make their mark in the playoffs.

Ending a rare two-year absence from the postseason, New York clinched a wild-card berth with three games to spare by beating the Boston Red Sox 4-1 Thursday night for the franchise’s 10,000th regular-season win.

Putting behind the venerated teams of Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, New York (87-72) opens its 52nd postseason with a winner-take-all game on Tuesday. Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees most likely will face Houston or the Los Angeles Angels.