CLEVELAND – The Yankees are one win away from their first World Series appearance since 2009 after an 8-6 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in AL Championship Series Game 4, witnessed by 35,263 fans at Progressive Field. Manager Aaron Boone faced challenges with a fatigued bullpen and aimed to limit closer Luke Weaver’s innings due to heavy playoff usage.
Despite starting with a comfortable four-run lead, the Yankees saw their advantage narrow to one run in the seventh, and the game tied in the eighth. However, Tommy Kahnle anchored the ninth inning, stepping up for a crucial save while Weaver warmed up in the bullpen.
Giancarlo Stanton played a pivotal role, hitting a three-run homer in the sixth to extend a waning lead. Earlier, Juan Soto initiated the scoring with a two-run homer in the first inning, aiming to shift momentum following a tough loss to the Guardians the night before.
The Yankees now look forward to Game 5 with Carlos Rodon set to take the mound.
Key moments from the game included Kahnle’s stellar performance in the ninth, a crucial error by Cleveland’s shortstop that allowed two runs, and Stanton’s impactful home run, marking his third of the ALCS and fourth of the postseason.
The matchup for Game 5 features Yankees’ Rodon against Guardians’ Tanner Bibee, with the game slated to start at 8:08 p.m. on TBS and truTV.