CLEVELAND – An intense playoff game in October, filled with stunning home runs and unexpected twists, concluded with a decisive stroke from David Fry.
The Cleveland Guardians brought new life to the AL Championship Series by defeating the New York Yankees 7-5 in Game 3, thanks to Fry’s two-run homer off Clay Holmes in the bottom of the 10th inning, before an energetic sellout crowd at Progressive Field.
The atmosphere in the stadium had been tense and quiet as the Yankees demonstrated their power. In the eighth inning, Aaron Judge connected for a game-tying two-run homer against Emmanuel Clase, one of Major League Baseball’s top closers in 2024, followed by Giancarlo Stanton’s go-ahead home run, putting the Yankees in a seemingly commanding position.
However, the Guardians made a dramatic comeback. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, a two-run homer from Jhonkensy Noel tied the game off Yankees closer Luke Weaver, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The Yankees had faced struggles with baserunning and missed scoring opportunities throughout the game, which may have affected their final performance, especially with decisions regarding their pitching and lineup.
In the ninth inning, the Yankees had a brief glimmer of hope when Anthony Volpe made it to third base after a bobbled grounder. This situation led to Gleyber Torres hitting a sacrifice fly, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead.
However, the Guardians rallied in a dramatic finish. Luke Weaver, who had been called upon to secure the final outs throughout the playoffs, was pitching with the game on the line.
As the game progressed, both teams exchanged powerful swings, with the Yankees initially grabbing the lead but unable to hold onto it as the Guardians capitalized on the Yankees’ errors and their own resurgence.
The game evolved into a showcase of both strategic plays and raw power from both teams, ultimately leading to an unforgettable seventh game showdown as the series continued.