Aaron Judge hit a two-run home run into Monument Park for his first home run of the postseason, propelling the New York Yankees to a 6-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night. The win gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.
Judge, who had just one RBI in the playoffs before this game, made a valuable contribution with a sacrifice fly in the second inning, aiding the Yankees in securing a 3-0 lead. In the seventh inning, with New York ahead 4-2, the likely AL MVP smashed a 414-foot home run to center field off a fastball from Hunter Gaddis, notching his 14th postseason home run in his career.
In a game featuring top pitchers who struggled, Tanner Bibee of Cleveland had his shortest professional start, lasting only four outs, while Gerrit Cole had an inconsistent performance and was removed after issuing four walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Clay Holmes, Tim Hill, and Tommy Kahnle combined for a 3 2/3 innings of relief without allowing any runs. Clay Holmes took the win. José Ramírez struck a ninth-inning homer against Luke Weaver, marking only the second earned run surrendered by New York's bullpen in six postseason games spanning 23 1/3 innings.
Game 3 is Thursday in Cleveland. The Yankees lead the ALCS 2-0 for the first time since 2009 against the Los Angeles Angels. Their latest World Series victory occurred that year.
American League Championship Series
Yankees lead 2-0
Monday 10/14/- Game 1: NYY 5, CLE 2
Tuesday 10/15/- Game 2: NYY 6, CLE 3
Thursday 10/17/- Game 3 at 5:08 pm (ET) - NYY at CLE
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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