The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians continued their ALCS battle at Progressive Field on Friday. The Guardians sent Gavin Williams to the mound as their starter in this crucial game.
Williams had a rocky start as Gleyber Torres got on base with the first pitch. Juan Soto stepped up to the plate and smashed a two-run home run to give the Yanks an early 2-0 lead.
Luis Gil started for the Bronx Bombers as he walked Steven Kwan and eventually surrendered a sac fly to Jose Ramirez. The Guardians responded quickly as they cut the lead in half.
Austin Wells responded with a solo home run at the top of the second inning, and the Yanks were already 3-1. Josh Naylor recorded an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning and the Guardians trailed 3-2.
Aaron Boone sent Tim Hill to the mound at the bottom of the fifth. Gil was removed after surrendering two runs in four innings with three strikeouts.
Giancarlo Stanton went deep to left field with a huge three-run homer and the Yanks were up 6-2 in the top of the sixth inning. The Guardians added more pressure to the Yanks when Jose Ramirez drove in an RBI double.
David Fry came in at the bottom of the eighth and drove in Bo Naylor to the plate. Anthony Rizzo failed to make a play at first base that cost the Yankees a run. Cleveland tied the game at 6-6 in the eighth inning.
The Bronx Bombers fought hard again as they drove in another run at the top of the seventh inning. Alex Verdugo did well to record a base hit while Gleyber Torres drove in another run. The Yanks came in strong at the top of the ninth with two runs.
New York Yankees vs New York Mets Players Stats
New York Yankees' Player Stats
Cleveland Guardians' Player Stats
Juan Soto, Austin Wells, and Giancarlo Stanton hit home runs tonight
Juan Soto's two-run blast set the pace for the game. Soto smashed his second postseason home run in Pinstripes. Austin Wells finally broke his dry spell and crushed a solo homer.
Stanton recorded 15 home runs in 35 postseason games. The Designated Hitter broke Babe Ruth's record. Ruth had 15 home runs in 41 postseason games.