Yankees Edge Close to Victory Before Guardians Stun in ALCS Thriller
For nearly an hour on Thursday night, it looked like the New York Yankees had pulled off an unbelievable comeback, overcoming sloppy play to come within reach of a World Series appearance. Facing a two-run deficit in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians, the Yankees needed to solve the puzzle of Emmanuel Clase, one of the most dominant closers in the game. With only two outs remaining, the challenge seemed nearly impossible.
Clase, who allowed just five earned runs in 74 regular-season appearances, had shut down opponents all season, including a stellar performance against the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. But on this wild night, the Yankees seemed poised to topple the untouchable closer.
The Early Work That Set the Stage
The groundwork for this showdown was laid much earlier in the day. At around 12:30 p.m., Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge took to the field for early batting practice, preparing for the formidable challenge that awaited them. Alongside assistant hitting coach Casey Dykes, they meticulously worked on going the opposite way, taking reps from various angles to mimic Clase’s pitching style.
When it mattered most, that effort paid off. With two outs in the eighth inning, Judge blasted a two-run homer, sending the ball sailing just over the right-field wall to tie the game. Just two minutes later, Stanton followed suit, hammering a slider deep to center field for a solo home run, giving the Yankees a 4-3 lead.
The Yankees dugout erupted in celebration as they pulled off what seemed unthinkable—hitting back-to-back homers off Clase. The game had already been thrilling, but from this point, it crossed into the territory of the absurd, leading to one of the most unforgettable games in recent playoff history.
Twists and Turns of a Postseason Classic
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt summed it up best: “That was an incredible game on both sides. All the emotions, ups and downs, back and forth, you name it.” Indeed, the game was a rollercoaster of emotions, full of dramatic moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Let’s break down the key moments that defined this back-and-forth battle:
Top of the Eighth – Two Outs, Cleveland Leading 3-1
Before Judge’s at-bat, the Yankees appeared to be in dire straits. Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis had walked Juan Soto on four pitches, none of which were particularly close. While Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Judge both said they didn’t think Gaddis pitched around Soto intentionally, the result set up a marquee matchup: Judge vs. Clase, power hitter vs. power pitcher.
Despite Clase jumping ahead in the count with his signature cutter, Judge fought back, taking a 99-mph cutter outside the zone before hammering a pitch low and away into the right-field seats. The Yankees had tied the game.
Two outs, tie game.
Stanton, like Judge, fell behind in the count 0-2, but after fouling off a few pitches, he connected on a 90-mph slider, sending it flying over the center-field wall for a go-ahead homer. The Yankees had seized a 4-3 lead, and it was the first time in Clase’s 326 career appearances that he’d given up two home runs in a single game.
Bottom of the Ninth – Yankees Lead 5-3
With Luke Weaver on the mound, the Yankees were three outs away from victory. But an error by Anthony Rizzo gave the Guardians life. After a nifty 1-6-3 double play, Weaver was one strike away from closing the game out.
However, Guardians hitter Lane Thomas fought back from an 0-2 count and roped a double off the left-field wall. The next batter, Jhonkensy Noel, stepped up and delivered a pinch-hit home run, tying the game and sending the Cleveland crowd into a frenzy.
Top of the 10th – Yankees Rally Stifled
The Yankees threatened to regain the lead in the 10th when Stanton walked and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a sharp grounder that looked destined for the outfield. But Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez made an incredible play, snagging the ball and firing a throw from shallow right field to complete the out, stifling the Yankees’ momentum.
Bottom of the 10th – Cleveland Walks It Off
Finally, in the bottom of the 10th inning, Cleveland’s Fry crushed a 1-2 sinker from Yankees reliever Clay Holmes, sending it over the left-field wall for a two-run, walk-off home run. The Guardians had pulled off a 7-5 victory in a game that lasted nearly four hours, filled with emotional highs and lows for both teams.
The Yankees, once seemingly on the brink of victory, had lost their second postseason game after leading by multiple runs in the ninth inning, a stat that hadn’t occurred since Game 3 of the 2022 ALDS—also against the Guardians.
A Game for the Ages
This unforgettable ALCS clash will be remembered as one of the wildest and most thrilling postseason games in recent history. From Judge and Stanton’s heroics to Cleveland’s stunning comeback, every moment kept fans hooked. Both teams left everything on the field, but in the end, it was Cleveland who came out on top.
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