CLEVELAND – An exhilarating October playoff match, filled with remarkable home runs and unexpected turns, culminated with a decisive swing from David Fry.
With a two-run homer off Clay Holmes in the bottom of the 10th inning, Fry led the Cleveland Guardians to a thrilling 7-5 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, igniting a frenzied celebration among the sellout crowd at Progressive Field.
The atmosphere had turned tense in the eighth and ninth innings as the Yankees showcased their power. Aaron Judge tied the game with a two-run homer off Emmanuel Clase, followed quickly by Giancarlo Stanton’s go-ahead shot, putting New York ahead and seemingly in control of the series with a 3-0 lead.
However, the Guardians, refusing to back down, responded in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, they managed to send the game into extra innings with a dramatic two-run homer off Yankees closer Luke Weaver.
As the action continued, the Yankees faced criticism for missed opportunities, including their base running issues and decisions regarding their bullpen usage. There was contemplation about bringing in Holmes for a save after a crucial double by Lane Thomas.
Jhonkensy Noel made a significant impact by tying the game with a pinch-hit two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, sending the Progressive Field crowd into a frenzy.
In the ninth, Luke Weaver aimed to secure the win despite a blunder by Anthony Rizzo that put pressure on the Yankees. Weaver achieved a critical double play, setting the stage for the Guardians’ comeback.
Meanwhile, the Yankees also made a strategic miscalculation, as Anthony Volpe reached third base due to a misplay by the Guardians, leading to a sacrifice fly by Gleyber Torres, putting the Yankees ahead 5-3.
Weaver sought to finish out the game, having pitched a demanding postseason but coming into this pivotal moment with runners on base and pressure mounting.
The Guardians took the lead earlier in the game when Lane Thomas scored a run after stealing third base and then moving home on an RBI single from Andres Gimenez, officially putting Cleveland up 3-1 at one point.
As the game unfolded, both teams displayed moments of brilliance alongside errors, affecting the score and momentum.
In the midst of it all, the Yankees struck first with a run in the second inning, but their multiple mistakes on the base paths haunted them throughout the game and contributed to their defeat.
Despite some missed opportunities, the Yankees found moments of success, especially with Gleyber Torres consistently getting on base. Cleveland, however, ultimately capitalized when it mattered the most, showcasing resilience and determination to take their first win of the series.