Yankees Just One Victory Away from World Series After Intense Game 4 Against Guardians: Key Moments
The New York Yankees displayed their dominance against top closer Emmanuel Clase for the second night in a row. This time, they managed to secure the victory, bringing them just one win away from their first World Series title since 2009.
The Yankees recorded three hits off Clase, exceeding the total hits he allowed in any regular season game, and scored two crucial runs in the ninth inning to win Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, 8-6, at Cleveland’s Progressive Field.
With this victory, New York now leads the ALCS 3-1, as they prepare for Saturday night’s game, where left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon, who won Game 1, will take the mound against Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee.
Although this series might appear to be a one-sided affair, the past two nights have proven to be quite challenging for the favored Yankees from the Bronx.
The Yankees had a two-run home run from Juan Soto and a three-run blast from Giancarlo Stanton, giving them a 6-2 lead after six innings. Nevertheless, the Guardians fought back. Cleveland managed to score a run in the eighth to level the game and called on their eighth pitcher of the night, Clase, to maintain the tie.
Although Clase had a stellar regular season, converting 47 of 50 save opportunities, he has struggled during the playoffs. In Game 3, he surrendered home runs to Aaron Judge and Stanton, causing a loss of a two-run lead, although Cleveland ultimately secured that game.
In Game 4, Anthony Rizzo’s light opposite-field single and a sharp hit from Anthony Volpe put Clase in a difficult position. After a strikeout, Alex Verdugo’s grounder allowed pinch-runner Jon Berti to score the decisive run. Gleyber Torres added an insurance run with an RBI single, much to the Yankees’ relief.
Due to closer Luke Weaver being unavailable, Mark Leiter Jr. – who was activated for this game due to Ian Hamilton’s injury – pitched well, recording five outs. Tommy Kahnle handled the ninth, navigating around a walk and a bloop single to secure the victory.
This Saturday night could see the Yankees spraying champagne as they await the winner of the Mets-Dodgers series for the World Series.
– Gabe Lacques
Here’s a summary of how the game progressed on Friday:
Guardians Level Game in the Eighth
David Fry, who won Game 3 with a powerful home run, managed to tie Game 4 with a gentle squibber.
The Guardians forced a 6-6 tie in the eighth inning when Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr. misplayed a soft ground ball, retrieved it, but awkwardly threw to first base, resulting in a hit and an RBI as Bo Naylor crossed home plate with the equalizing run.
Closer Emmanuel Clase came in to attempt to keep the game tied as the Guardians trailed 2-1 in the series.
Yankees 6, Guardians 5: Cleveland Mounts a Comeback in the Seventh
The Cleveland Guardians are putting up a strong fight.
After falling behind by four runs in Game 4, they quickly pulled back with three runs from a pair of Yankees relievers, reducing the deficit to 6-5 by the seventh inning.
They came close to scoring even more.
Following Stanton’s three-run homer that gave New York a 6-2 lead, manager Aaron Boone opted to extend reliever Jake Cousins for another inning. However, after a walk given up to the No. 9 hitter, things took a turn for the worse, leading to a series of runs scored with RBIs from Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor off of both Cousins and Clay Holmes.
Boone then called in Mark Leiter Jr. to manage the situation, but opponent coach Stephen Vogt sent up Game 3 star Jhonkensy Noel as a pinch hitter. Noel almost clinched the game again but fell just short with a fly ball caught at the left field wall by Alex Verdugo.
The Yankees still needed six more outs to secure the win.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Home Run Boosts Yankees to 6-2 Lead
Giancarlo Stanton eliminated any potential for a Cleveland comeback with a powerful swing.
The Yankees slugger continued his postseason excellence by hitting a crucial three-run homer off Guardians relief ace Cade Smith, pushing the Yankees to a 6-2 lead in the sixth inning of Game 4.
With the Yankees holding a narrow 3-2 advantage and with the Guardians having just found their rhythm from Game 3, manager Stephen Vogt called upon Smith. However, Smith issued a walk to Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge responded with a blistering single that clocked in at 112 mph.
After a surprising sacrifice bunt from Jazz Chisholm, Stanton unleashed a 1-2 fastball, sending it 404 feet into the left field bleachers, extending the Yankees’ lead. They are now just 12 outs away from taking a 3-1 lead in the ALCS.
– Gabe Lacques
Yankees Lead 3-2 After Four Innings
The Yankees are narrowly leading the Cleveland Guardians 3-2 after four innings in the ALCS Game 4. Additionally, they’re gaining an advantage in other aspects.
Starting pitcher Luis Gil navigated through a lot of traffic, completing four innings with his first clean frame of the evening. In contrast, the Guardians had to call upon their bullpen starting in the third inning, substituting starter Gavin Williams for lefty Erik Sabrowski to mitigate the threat posed by Juan Soto, who had already hit a homer.
As the game heads into the fifth inning, the Guardians now have their third pitcher, Eli Morgan on the mound. Gil is still pitching, but with Cleveland’s lineup coming up, his time may be limited.
Austin Wells Hits a Homer, Extending the Yankees’ Lead to 3-1
In the top of the second inning, with two outs, Yankees catcher Austin Wells smacked a solo home run to center field off Guardians starter Gavin Williams, which stretched New York’s lead to 3-1.
Juan Soto’s Home Run Gives Yankees an Early Advantage
While it’s highly unlikely that the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees can surpass the excitement of their recent Game 3 battle in the American League Championship Series, Game 4 kicked off just like the previous one: with a two-run homer.
Juan Soto launched his second home run of the series, a 414-foot blast off Guardians starter Gavin Williams, granting the Yankees a 2-1 lead after the first inning on Friday.
Williams, making his return after a 19-day absence, faced trouble early, allowing a single to the in-form Gleyber Torres before confronting Soto, who sent a 98 mph fastball soaring into the right field stands at Progressive Field.
However, Yankees starter Luis Gil, like Williams, was also making his first appearance since September, quickly surrendered some of that lead. He walked the first hitter, Steven Kwan, and allowed a double to Kyle Manzardo. Yet, Gil only conceded a sacrifice fly to Jose Ramirez, which helped maintain the Yankees’ advantage.
– Gabe Lacques
When is Yankees vs Guardians Game 4?
The first pitch for ALCS Game 4 is set for 8:08 p.m. ET on Friday night.
- Location: Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: Friday, Oct. 18
Yankees vs Guardians Game 4 Broadcast Information
- Time: 8:08 p.m. ET
- Channel: truTV
Yankees Lineup for ALCS Game 4
- Gleyber Torres (R) 2B
- Juan Soto (L) RF
- Aaron Judge (R) CF
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 3B
- Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
- Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
- Anthony Volpe (R) SS
- Austin Wells (L) C
- Alex Verdugo (L) LF
Guardians Lineup for ALCS Game 4
- Steven Kwan (L) LF
- Kyle Manzardo (L) DH
- José Ramírez (S) 3B
- Josh Naylor (L) 1B
- Lane Thomas (R) CF
- Daniel Schneemann (L) RF
- Andrés Giménez (L) 2B
- Austin Hedges (R) C
- Brayan Rocchio (S) SS
