The Guardians managed to avoid trailing 3-0 in the American League Championship Series on Thursday night by securing a 7-5 victory in extra innings, marking one of the most remarkable games in franchise history.
Cleveland's rookie pinch-hitter Jhonkensy Noel hit a game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning, while David Fry's two-run homer in the 10th inning secured a 7-5 victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday.
The win brought the Guardians to a 2-1 lead in the AL Championship Series.
Following a solid performance of 7 2/3 innings by starting pitcher Matthew Boyd and the exceptional Cleveland bullpen, Emmanuel Clase came in for a four-out save in the eighth inning. Unfortunately, he faltered by giving up consecutive home runs to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
Despite being limited to three hits in the first seven innings, the Yankees were celebrating with hugs and high-fives when Stanton hit a 1-2 slider from Clase out of the park in center field.
For Cleveland the game took a turn for the worse, but everything changed in the bottom of the ninth inning.
With two outs and a runner on second base, the Guardians' newcomer Jhonkensy Noel made a memorable debut by hitting a game-tying home run as a pinch hitter, causing Progressive Field to erupt in excitement.
In the following inning, David Fry smashed a two-run homer of his own, securing a walk-off victory for Cleveland and breathing new life into their ALCS campaign.
The game saw both teams' closers falter in preserving a four-out lead, providing Cleveland with the much-needed momentum to turn the series around.
The Guardians will face the Yankees in Game 4 at 8:08 p.m. ET on Friday, with Gavin Williams (3-10, 4.86 ERA) pitching for the Guardians and rookie Luis Gil (15-7, 3.50 ERA) on the mound for the Yankees.
American League Championship Series
Yankees lead 2-1
Monday 10/14/- Game 1: NYY 5, CLE 2
Tuesday 10/15/- Game 2: NYY 6, CLE 3
Thursday 10/17/- Game 3: CLE 7, NYY 5 (10 INN)
Friday 10/18/- Game 4 at 8:08 pm (ET) - NYY at CLE
Saturday 10/19/- Game 5 at 8:08 pm (ET) - NYY at CLE
Monday 10/21/- Game 6 at 5:08 pm (ET) - CLE at NYY (*)
Tuesday 10/22/- Game 7 at 7:38 pm (ET) - CLE at NYY (*)
(*) - If necessary
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