Guardians 7, Yankees 5

By Mike Whiteman October 18, 2024 On this day in 1977, Reggie Jackson hit three home runs, on three consecutive pitches, leading the Yankees to a World Series clinching 8-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jackson sealed his legacy as "Mr. October" with his heroics. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197710180.shtml

Big Story: The Yankees jumped out to an early lead when Jose Trevino singled in Anthony Volpe in the second inning. Unfortunately, with runners on first and third and one out Trevino was picked off at first and then Gleyber Torres lined out, leaving Juan Soto on deck. The Guardians took the lead in the bottom of the third when Kyle Manzardo smacked a two-run home run off Clarke Schmidt. The Yankee starter kept it together though, and those were the only runs he allowed in 4 2/3 innings. Cleveland added another run in the sixth when Andre Gimenez singled through a drawn in infield. Meanwhile, Guardian starter Matthew Boyd and relievers Cade Smith and Tim Herrin held the Yanks to only their one run through seven innings. It was 3-1 in favor of the home team. In the top of the eighth Hunter Gaddis, who had a 1.57 ERA this season, retired the first two batters he faced, then walked Soto. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt wasn't fooling around and brought his closer, the seemingly invincible Emmanuel Clase (4-2, 0.61, 47 saves) to face Aaron Judge. Confrontations like this is what postseason baseball is all about! It didn't disappoint. Down two strikes, Judge lined a home run to right, tying the game. Then Giancarlo Stanton homered to center field to take the lead! The game was suddenly turned around and the Yankees were winning 4-3. The Guardians got two runners on in the eighth, but Luke Weaver came on and blew away David Fry to get out of the jam. The Yanks added another run on a Torres sacrifice fly and they had a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. Things felt pretty good. After Weaver started a 1-4-3 double play things felt even better. The Yankees were one out away from going up three games to none, and a single win away from the World Series. Unfortunately, Lane Thomas doubled and rookie Jhonkensy Noel just crushed a home run off Weaver to tie the game. Progressive Field, reduced to silence after the Yankee homers, was rocking again. After the Yanks went down scoreless in the top of the tenth, the Guardians had another moment when Fry ripped a walk-off home run off Clay Holmes. Playoff baseball can break your heart. Guardians 7, Yankees 5. Notable Performances: Anthony Volpe had a double and two walks Better to Forget: More sloppiness on the bases, with Trevino picked off and Volpe almost running his way into an out in the ninth, saved when Jose Ramirez dropped the ball while trying to tag him...Ian Hamilton sustained a calf injury in the sixth and was removed from the game. They Said It: "The other team is good too" - Aaron Boone in his postgame news conference. My Take: A quick look at social media and TV analysis describe this game as postseason classic, and it's what we all love about baseball...when it's not our team on the short end of the stick! When the Yankees acquired Stanton in 2018, we all had dreams of him and Judge ripping home runs and winning postseason games. For a short while last night, we finally had a glimpse of the glory. To have the win "right in front of them" in the ninth and then losing really, really hurts. There's a big difference between being up three games to none and two to one. If the Yanks end up losing the series, this loss will haunt them for a long time. The team has indeed bounced back strong from some crushing losses in the regular season, and will need to dig deep to do it again. In his postgame remarks, Boone stated "we'll be ready to roll tomorrow". The sudden vulnerability of both closers has made this series a lot more interesting. Remember, we have two more games in a row before a day off, and both bullpens are already taxed. The Yanks can sure use a good outing from Luis Gil tonight. The Yankees haven't played a great brand of baseball thus far, and have by in a large won by taking what the other teams gives them and grinding out wins. It was good enough to beat the Royals and take an early lead in the ALCS, but it's likely not going to get them to the World Series. I hope they tighten up the baserunning and defense. The Trevino pickoff took them out what could have been a productive inning, and changed the game. Playoff baseball isn't easy though, and the Guardians are a good team. Despite the heartbreaking defeat, I for one am really enjoying October with Yankee baseball again, and will be fired up for tonight's game! Next Up: Game Four is tonight at 8:08. Luis Gil (15-7, 3.50) takes the mound for his first postseason action against righthander Gavin Williams (3-10, 4.86)