NEW YORK – Carlos Rodon effectively managed both his emotions and the Cleveland Guardians, leading the Yankees to a solid start in the AL Championship Series.
On a chilly October evening at Yankee Stadium, Luke Weaver came in to secure a five-out save, solidifying the Yankees’ 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series for the American League pennant.
Rodon delivered six impressive innings, allowing just one run from Brayan Rocchio’s solo home run while giving up three hits, walking none, and striking out nine. Meanwhile, the Yankees quickly chased starter Alex Cobb from the game.
Juan Soto ignited a three-run third inning with a solo homer, although the Yankees couldn’t fully capitalize on the erratic pitching from Cleveland’s bullpen.
In the fourth inning, a sacrifice fly from Aaron Judge, marking his first RBI of the postseason, combined with a massive solo homer from Giancarlo Stanton in the seventh served as added security runs, particularly as Cleveland mounted a threat, sending the tying run to the plate in the eighth and again in the ninth.
With 47,264 fans chanting “Luuuuuke,” Weaver struck out Austin Hedges with a runner on first to close the game.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo, who recently returned after suffering fractured fingers on September 28, went 1-for-3 with a walk but was substituted defensively in the ninth inning for Oswaldo Cabrera.
Weaver extinguishes the threat
The crowd erupted as Weaver entered the game, quickly resolving a tense situation in the eighth inning.
With runners on the corners, Weaver retired pinch-hitter Will Brennan and the formidable Jose Ramirez, preventing further scoring and preserving the Yankees’ 5-2 lead.
In an unexpected twist, Yankees reliever Tim Hill collided with baserunner Brayan Rocchio, setting the Guardians up with runners at second and third. Steven Kwan then delivered an RBI single in the eighth.
Stanton shines again
Giancarlo Stanton crushed a solo homer off the back of the Cleveland bullpen wall, extending the Yankees’ lead to 5-1 in the seventh inning. This marked Stanton’s second home run of the playoffs and the 13th of his postseason career, traveling an estimated 439 feet at 114.3 mph off the bat.
Rodon exits, Holmes takes the mound
Carlos Rodon exited after six strong innings with a 4-1 lead, bouncing back impressively after being pulled early in the ALDS Game 2 against the Royals. Clay Holmes entered the game and pitched a clean seventh inning, holding onto the Yankees’ 4-1 lead. Rodon’s final line: 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 run (homering), no walks, and 9 strikeouts.
Rodon’s dominance continues
Rodon retired 11 consecutive Guardians hitters, closing each inning with a strikeout, including a swinging strikeout against Josh Naylor in the fifth.
The Yankees’ offense found some momentum when Aaron Judge’s sacrifice fly brought in a run, increasing their lead to 4-0.
Cleveland’s struggles
Cobb struggled to make it through the third inning, leaving with the bases loaded. Reliever Joey Cantillo allowed a wild pitch that allowed Judge to score from third, making it 2-0 for the Yankees. Soto’s solo shot had earlier put the Yankees ahead 1-0.
Rizzo’s return
After suffering fractured fingers, Anthony Rizzo made his return to the Yankees’ lineup. He expressed confidence that the adrenaline from the packed stadium and the stakes of the game would help him manage any lingering pain.
Yankees’ Game 1 lineup announcement
As for the Guardians’ lineup for Game 1, it featured Steven Kwan in left field, David Fry as the designated hitter, and Jose Ramirez at third base, with Alex Cobb taking the mound as the starting pitcher.