How the Guardians’ fielding error on Aaron Judge’s pop-up shifted the ALCS in Yankees’ favor

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The Yankees took Game 2 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium, 6-3, thanks to Aaron Judge’s first home run of the postseason, a crucial swing that helped propel them forward.

But the real momentum shift came earlier, when the Guardians fumbled a routine infield pop-up off Aaron Judge‘s bat. The Bronx Bombers didn’t waste the opportunity, turning what should’ve been an easy out into a defining moment that set the tone for the rest of the night—and perhaps the series.

Yankees capitalize on Guardians’ defensive miscue to take early lead

In the first inning, with Gleyber Torres on third and Juan Soto on first, Judge hit a sky-high pop-up that seemed destined to end the inning. Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio camped under the ball, but with the swirling Yankee Stadium winds wreaking havoc, he began to drift. What followed was a moment Rocchio will want to forget—he collided with second baseman Andres Gimenez and dropped the ball, allowing Torres to sprint home and put the Yankees on the board.

That 1-0 lead immediately energized the crowd and the Yankees lineup. Juan Soto moved to second on the play, and Judge reached first safely, keeping the pressure on Cleveland. With Gerrit Cole on the mound, that run felt like the first domino to fall. But the Yankees weren’t done there.

By the third inning, the Bronx Bombers had tacked on two more runs, building their lead to 3-0. The offense has been opportunistic, taking advantage of every mistake the Guardians have made, and Cole has been nothing short of dominant. As he continued to stifle Cleveland’s lineup, the Yankees extended their lead to 6-3 by the end, sealing the victory.

For the Yankees, this game has been a showcase of how they’ve found success all year long—by turning small opportunities into big advantages. Aaron Judge didn’t need a towering home run to make an impact tonight; instead, his presence and leadership at the plate kept the pressure on, forcing Rocchio into a costly error. Gleyber Torres’ heads-up baserunning was another perfect example of how this team has thrived, staying aggressive and capitalizing on every chance.

Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole pitched like an ace determined to lead his team to the World Series. He was in complete control on the mound, mixing his fastball and off-speed pitches to keep Cleveland’s hitters off balance. With Cole locked in, the Guardians struggled to put together any meaningful offense, and with each passing inning, the Yankees tightened their grip on the series.

The 6-3 win wasn’t just about the scoreboard—it’s about the momentum New York has built. The Yankees are showing the kind of poise and focus that separates great teams in October, and they’re just a few games away from taking a commanding ticket right into the World Series. If Cleveland can’t rally, they’ll head back home facing the daunting task of having to beat Cole and the Yankees in a must-win scenario.

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