The Tampa Bay Rays swept the New York Yankees in three games to win the 2026 American League Division Series. Here is how the series was lost.

The turning point of Game 3 came in the sixth inning. Rookie Victor Mesa Jr. hit a two-run homer to put Tampa Bay ahead 4-2. Then Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe hit a ball that first looked like a tying homer.

A fan reached over the left-field fence and touched the ball. After a crew-chief review, the play was ruled spectator interference. Volpe was sent back to second base with a double, and only one run scored.

The Yankees never recovered. They lost 4-3. Across the whole series, New York scored just five runs. Their bats went quiet in Game 1 and their defence faltered in Game 2.

Aaron Judge watched from the dugout. The captain missed the series with a right calf strain suffered in mid-September. Without their best hitter, the offence stalled.

This was the first time the Yankees were ever swept in a division series. It is their 17th straight year without a World Series title. With a lockout possibly looming, the offseason now brings big questions.

The Rays move on to the ALCS, where they will host the White Sox or Guardians starting Monday.