The Cleveland Guardians triumphed over the New York Yankees with a 9-5 victory, featuring a thrilling six-run rally in the top of the 12th inning. This matchup, marked as the longest major league game of the season, unfolded at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.
Both teams entered the game tied for first place, setting the stage for a showdown that felt reminiscent of a playoff encounter. “What an unbelievable game by both teams,” remarked Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “Someone had to outlast the other, and fortunately, it was us.”
The game started explosively, with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hitting back-to-back home runs in the first inning. However, the Guardians quickly responded, leveling the score at 3 by the end of the fourth inning. Despite multiple scoring opportunities for both sides, the game remained deadlocked until the 12th.
Lane Thomas, who had been struggling with a .113 batting average, came in as a pinch hitter for Bo Naylor and delivered a crucial go-ahead double off left-hander Tim Mayza. His hit brought home automatic runner Daniel Schneemann from second base, igniting a significant inning for the Guardians.
After Thomas’s timely hit, Jose Ramirez, who had been intentionally walked in the 10th, followed with an RBI single. A walk to Tyler Freeman set the stage for David Fry, who hit a bases-loaded triple, extending the Guardians’ lead to 8-3. Rookie Jhonkensy Noel added an RBI infield single shortly after.
Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase made his season debut pitching two innings, having entered the game in a critical moment to retire Alex Verdugo and end the 10th inning. Tim Herrin also played a pivotal role, preserving the lead through the 11th inning.
The Yankees’ pitching was affected when rookie starter Luis Gil left the game in the fourth inning due to back tightness, requiring all eight of their relievers to be utilized. The Yankees struggled offensively, going 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position and stranding 12 base runners through the game.
Boone expressed concern regarding the offense’s recent performance, stating, “It’s been a few games now where we’ve struggled in those spots. It’s just a little slow patch, and we’ve got to get it going offensively.”
This win marks a significant boost for the Guardians, who demonstrated resilience and offensive power in a tightly contested game.