NEW YORK – Carlos Rodon maintained his composure while effectively containing the Cleveland Guardians, helping the Yankees kick off the AL Championship Series with a solid performance.
On a brisk mid-October evening at Yankee Stadium, Luke Weaver delivered a crucial five-out save, securing a 5-2 victory for the Yankees in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series for the American League pennant.
Rodon pitched six impressive innings, allowing just one run—a solo homer from Brayan Rocchio—on three hits, while striking out nine without issuing a walk, as the Yankees quickly chased starter Alex Cobb from the game.
A solo home run by Juan Soto ignited a three-run third inning for the Yankees. Although the team capitalized on several wild pitches from Cleveland’s bullpen, they were unable to fully exploit the situation. Aaron Judge contributed with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, marking his first RBI of the postseason, while Giancarlo Stanton added a significant solo homer in the seventh inning, providing additional insurance as the Guardians made threats in the eighth and ninth innings.
With 47,264 fans roaring and chanting “Luuuuuke,” Weaver struck out Austin Hedges to conclude the game after entering with a runner on first base.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo, just activated for the ALCS after recovering from fractured fingers, went 1-for-3 and was substituted defensively in the ninth inning for Oswaldo Cabrera.
Weaver extinguished a late-inning rally
The atmosphere in Yankee Stadium electrified when Luke Weaver took the mound and quickly stifled a scoring opportunity in the eighth inning. After entering with runners at the corners, he retired pinch-hitter Will Brennan and the potent Jose Ramirez, thereby preserving the Yankees’ 5-2 lead.
A moment of concern arose when Yankees reliever Tim Hill collided with baserunner Brayan Rocchio, putting the Guardians in a position to score. In the eighth inning, Steven Kwan delivered an RBI single, tightening the game at 5-2, but Weaver’s appearance did not allow any further damage.
Stanton’s power hits again
Giancarlo Stanton showcased his hitting prowess with a powerful solo homer that reached the back of the Cleveland bullpen wall, stretching the Yankees’ lead to 5-1 in the seventh inning. This marked Stanton’s second homer of the playoffs and his 13th career postseason home run, with this particular blast measured at an impressive 439 feet with a speed of 114.3 mph off the bat.
Rodon showcases dominance
After six strong innings, Carlos Rodon exited the game with the Yankees leading 4-1, marking a triumphant return after being pulled from Game 2 of the ALDS. Clay Holmes pitched a flawless seventh inning, keeping the score intact.
Rodon, having retired eleven straight batters during the game and finishing with a stat line of 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, and 9 strikeouts, set a solid foundation for the Yankees.
Turning points early in the game
The Yankees quickly took advantage of Cleveland’s pitching woes, including a worrisome outing from starter Alex Cobb, who was unable to escape the third inning after his wildness led to a series of runs for New York. Juan Soto kicked things off with a home run in the third that put the Yankees on the board, increasing his postseason stock.
As for the Yankees, the early innings featured missed scoring opportunities, but they were able to capitalize later with key hits and strategic plays, ultimately setting the stage for a positive Game 1 outcome.
With enthusiasm surrounding Rodon’s performance and Stanton’s timely hits, the Yankees are eager to continue their momentum in the series. The Guardians, now facing an immediate challenge, will look to regroup as the series unfolds in the coming days.