Yankees surge to top AL wild-card spot after sweeping Red Sox

The New York Yankees took over sole possession of the top American League wild-card spot with Sunday's 6-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

Giancarlo Stanton swatted a massive two-run home run - his third of the series - to help New York complete the three-game sweep.

"It's a big time right now, so I’ve just got to make sure I’m the most prepared," Stanton said. “You can’t be scared of those moments, or they’ll sneak up on you real quick."

Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery allowed seven hits and one run over five innings, and closer Aroldis Chapman shut the door for the second straight night as he caught Kyle Schwarber looking on strike three to end the game.

The Toronto Blue Jays now trail the Red Sox by one game for the second AL wild-card spot, with the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics just behind them entering the final week of play.

"It's not what we wanted coming into the series," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We didn't get the job done. It's that simple."

The Yankees travel to Toronto to open a crucial three-game series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday before closing the regular season at home against the Tampa Bay Rays from Friday-Sunday. The Blue Jays wrap up their season against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Red Sox play three contests against the Orioles and three more versus the Washington Nationals this week.

The Mariners and Athletics open a three-game series Tuesday before Seattle plays the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland finishes against the NL West-leading Houston Astros.