Yankees Rally with Back-to-Back Homers Against Clase, But Guardians Edge Out 7-5 in Epic ALCS Thriller

Guardians Edge Out 7-5 in Epic ALCS Thriller

In a thrilling Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, the Cleveland Guardians delivered a heart-stopping comeback, defeating the New York Yankees 7-5 in 10 innings. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by dramatic plays and unexpected heroes.

As the ninth inning began, the Yankees found themselves trailing 5-3, facing the seemingly insurmountable challenge of overcoming Emmanuel Clase, the best closer in baseball. With two outs, Aaron Judge stepped up and delivered a stunning two-run home run, tying the game and sending the Yankees into a frenzy. Just moments later, Giancarlo Stanton followed with another home run, giving New York a brief 6-5 lead and appearing to put them on the brink of a commanding 3-0 series advantage.

But the Guardians were not ready to concede. Jhonkensy Noel, who had been struggling in the postseason, was called upon to pinch hit in a high-pressure situation. Despite going just 1-for-15 in the playoffs and not hitting an extra-base hit in over 40 plate appearances, manager Stephen Vogt believed in him. “He pinch-hit to hit a homer,” Vogt said, and that’s exactly what Noel did. His two-out, game-tying blast off Yankees closer Luke Weaver sent the crowd into a frenzy, reminding everyone of the magic of the postseason.

Noel’s home run was a pivotal moment, marking only the sixth game-tying homer in the ninth inning or later in postseason history. The young slugger had not left the yard since August, but he executed his plan perfectly, connecting on a hanging changeup. “It was about location,” Noel explained, reflecting on the moment. “I knew I could execute if I got the pitch I was looking for.”

With the game tied, it moved into extra innings where David Fry became the hero for the Guardians, hitting a two-run walk-off homer to seal the 7-5 victory. Fry couldn’t contain his excitement, stating, “It’s so cool” that Noel had stepped up to take the spotlight away from Aaron Judge, a true testament to the unpredictable nature of playoff baseball.

Guardians players and coaches echoed the same sentiment of amazement and celebration in the dugout after Noel’s dramatic blast. “You just knew something good was going to happen,” starter Matthew Boyd remarked, recognizing the potential in Noel. “I’m so happy for him.”

Reflecting on the game, Vogt captured the emotions perfectly: “If there’s an emotion, we all felt it on both sides.” The Guardians' resilience and ability to rally from behind showcased the unpredictable excitement that makes postseason baseball so captivating. As they tied the series at 2-1, both teams left everything on the field, setting the stage for a memorable battle ahead.

Yankees Rally with Back-to-Back Homers Against Clase, But Guardians Edge Out 7-5 in Epic ALCS Thriller