New York Yankees 5-7 Cleveland Guardians
The New York Yankees suffered a heartbreaking 7-5 walk-off loss to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Thursday. Despite a late-inning surge, the Yankees couldn’t hold onto their lead, allowing Cleveland to close the gap in the series, now 2-1 in New York’s favor.
Yankees fall short in dramatic 10th inning
The drama unfolded in the bottom of the 10th inning when Yankees closer Clay Holmes, who had been reliable all postseason, gave up a two-run homer to David Fry. Fry’s blast to left field not only secured the Guardians’ victory but also shifted the momentum of the series as Cleveland avoided falling into a 3-0 hole.
Earlier, the Yankees appeared to have control. In the top of the 10th, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton had the chance to break the 5-5 tie, but after Stanton walked and Jasson Dominguez pinch-ran, the Yankees couldn’t capitalize. Anthony Rizzo was intentionally walked, putting two runners on, but the Guardians escaped the inning without further damage.
The trouble started for New York in the ninth inning, when Cleveland’s Jhonkensy Noel launched a game-tying two-run homer off Yankees reliever Luke Weaver. Up to that point, Weaver had been dominant, striking out David Fry in the eighth to preserve a one-run lead. However, Noel’s homer erased that cushion and set the stage for extra innings.
Offensively, the Yankees had their moments. Aaron Judge’s two-run blast in the eighth inning tied the game at 3-3, sending a jolt through the team and Yankee fans alike. Giancarlo Stanton followed with a solo shot off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, giving the Yankees a 4-3 lead and putting them in position to steal the game late.
Clarke Schmidt started for New York and delivered a solid 4.2-inning performance, allowing two earned runs while battling Cleveland’s lineup. Despite a few early scoring threats, Schmidt managed to keep the Yankees in the game until the bullpen took over. Ian Hamilton left the game in the sixth after sustaining a leg injury, which briefly hampered the Yankees’ pitching depth.
Yankees roster
As the series continues, the Yankees will look to bounce back in Game 4, still holding a 2-1 lead in the ALCS, but now feeling the sting of a walk-off loss.
