Bronx, NY–On a very brisk autumn evening at Yankee Stadium, the air buzzed with excitement as 47,054 fans filled the stands, ready to witness a clash between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians. As the sun dipped behind the outfield, the floodlights illuminated the diamond, setting the stage for a thrilling matchup.
The Yankees started with their ace, Gerrit Cole, taking the mound. He had been lights out for much of the season, but tonight, he faced a challenge. Cole struggled with his command, laboring through his 4.1 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, while issuing four walks. He struck out four but did not have his best stuff. With each pitch, the tension mounted, but the veteran remained composed, determined to keep the Bombers in the game.
In the stands, fans held their breath as the Guardians threatened. They left ten runners in scoring position over the first seven innings, unable to convert their chances into runs. The crowd grew restless as Cole and the Yankees defense continually found ways to escape tight situations. Even in his struggles, Cole showed why he was the ace; he bent but didn’t break, frustrating the Guardians’ hitters.
“I’m a little disappointed in Gleyber for not knowing Judge’s pop there,” Anthony Rizzo said in the presser. “We were ribbing him a lot about that. It’s a big swing for Judgey.”
The game remained tight, with the Yankees managing a slim lead. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and as the game moved into the later innings, the Yankees sensed an opportunity to break it open.
In the seventh inning, with the score at 4-2, Aaron Judge stepped up to the plate. The towering outfielder had been silent until that moment, but he had the power to change the game in an instant. Facing Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis, Judge dug in, his focus unwavering as he waited for his pitch. The first two pitches were balls, but the third—a fastball down the middle—was not what Gaddis wanted to throw.
With a mighty swing, Judge launched the ball deep into center field. The crack of the bat resonated throughout the stadium, and fans leaped to their feet as the ball soared over the fence, sealing the game with a two-run homer. The scoreboard lit up, and the roar of the crowd was deafening. The Yankees had surged ahead 6-2, and the victory was within reach.
Cleveland cut its deficit to 3-2 in the fifth when Josh Naylor hit a deep sacrifice fly and, after Holmes relieved with the bases loaded, Will Brennan grounded into a run-scoring force-out. Holmes struck out Austin Hedges on sinker to leave the bases juiced.
As the Yankees’ bullpen took over, the Guardians’ hopes began to fade. Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and closer Luke Weaver entered the game, extinguishing every flame the Guardians attempted to ignite. Each reliever brought their unique arsenal, effectively silencing Cleveland’s bats and ensuring that the Guardians would not find a way back into the game.
José Ramírez hit a ninth-inning home run off Weaver, just the second earned run New York’s bullpen has allowed over 23 1/3 innings in six postseason games.
After a day off, Game 3 is Thursday in Cleveland. The Bombers lead the ALCS 2-0 for the first time since 2009 against the Los Angeles Angels.
“We’re one swing of the bat away from taking the lead in that game,” Stephen Vogt said. “We’re one swing of the bat from being right back in it. That is who we are. We don’t quit. We just need to keep being us.”
As fans streamed out of Yankee Stadium, they were filled with hope and excitement for the games to come. The victory was a testament to the team’s grit and determination, and they left the ballpark knowing that in the world of baseball, anything could happen on any given night.
UP NEXT:
The Yankees will send RHP Clarke Schmidt to the mound on Thursday in Cleveland. In Division Series Game 3, Schmidt allowed two runs and four hits over 4 2/3 innings, squandering a 2-0 lead before New York ultimately secured a 3-2 win.
Earlier this season, he faced the Guardians once, tossing five scoreless innings before giving up two runs—one of them unearned—in the sixth inning of another 3-2 victory. While Cleveland has yet to announce a starter, LHP Matthew Boyd is a potential option. Additionally, Bibee’s early exit could open the door for him to pitch on short rest instead of in a Game 6.
