The Cleveland Guardians moved one step closer to the All-American Championship Series with a dramatic 6-5 win over the New York Yankees in Game 3 of their series. Cleveland now leads the series 2-1 and will look to join the Houston Astros in the Championship Series.
Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Guardians relied on a timely hit from Oscar Gonzalez to save themselves with the victory.
The Yankees suffer their first playoff loss when they lead by at least two runs in the ninth inning. They had a record of 167 wins and no losses going into Saturday’s game.
The game started well for the Guardians, who took a two-run lead after two innings of play. Josh Naylor first opened the scoring in the first inning with a one-run single, then Steven Kwan doubled Cleveland lead in the next inning, also on a single.
Then in the 3rd inning, the powerful Aaron Judge finally unlocked with his first hit of the playoffs. After nine straight outs without putting the ball in a safe place, Judge hit a long ball good for two runs and brought everyone back to square one.
Judge’s homer is his 12th in the playoffs in his career, tying him with Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson for fifth in Yankees history. Bernie Williams (22), Derek Jeter (20), Mickey Mantle (18) and Babe Ruth (15) are the only ones ahead of him.
New York took the lead for the first time of the game in the fifth inning when Oswaldo Cabrera hit a two-run bomb that made it 4-2 in favor of the Bronx Bombers.
Will Brennan cut the lead to one run with a 6th inning single, but Harrison Bader restored the Yankees to a two-run lead in the next inning with a home run.
Late in the ninth inning, Amed Rosario pulled the Guardians within a single run, and then Cleveland managed to fill the trails. With a two-ball count and a strike, as well as two outs, Oscar Gonzalez hit the ball to safety and allowed Kwan and Rosario to cross the plate to deliver a dramatic win for Cleveland.
Yankees starter Luis Severino gave up eight hits and three runs in five and two-thirds innings while adding six strikeouts.
On the mound for the Guardians, Triston McKenzie allowed four hits and four runs in five innings pitched.
Cleveland will have the opportunity to finish with the Yankees on Sunday evening, during the fourth game of the series, which will be broadcast on RDS2. If the series were to go to a final match, it will be played on Monday evening.
New Yorkers will trust ace Gerrit Cole to avoid an early exit.
“I like that it’s Gerrit on the mound,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Let’s get that win. Obviously, tonight’s defeat was heartbreaking, but we will overcome it. We are up against the wall, but we like our chances. »
Gonzalez breaks through the infield, Guardians win!
Judge creates a tie with one swing
