CNN
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The New York Yankees are just one win away from reaching the franchise’s first World Series since 2009.
The Yankees prevailed over a resilient Cleveland Guardians team to a thrilling 8-6 victory in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night.
Fueled by home runs from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees avoided heartbreak for the second straight night by taking a 3-1 lead.
Guardians All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase was once again shocked by the Yankees’ offense, allowing two runs in the ninth inning in the loss. In Game 3, Clase gave up back-to-back home runs but was saved by a clutch hit by the Guardians late in the game.
Teams leading 3-1 in a best-of-seven postseason series have won the series 79 of 93 times, including 37 of 45 in the LCS.
“I want a ring, I want a ring,” Stanton said after the game. “Everything I can do to help us win step by step, so this was a good step, as we have a lot of work to do.
“It was the right time to throw the first punch, no progression is safe but it was nice to get the first punch, a great back and forth battle and be able to move forward.”
After a heartbreaking extra-inning loss in Game 3, the Yankees came out with a swing. Gleyber Torres set the tone with a single in the first inning. Moments later, Soto hit a two-run home run to center field to put New York up 2-0 early.
Cleveland responded quickly, cutting the lead in half with an RBI fly ball by José Ramírez in the bottom of the first. But New York’s offensive continued. Yankees catcher Austin Wells hit a 400-foot solo home run to center field in the third inning, extending the lead to 3-1.
The Guardians made it a one-run game in the bottom of the third when Josh Naylor drove in Stephen Cowan with a bunt to left field, cutting the deficit to 3-2. However, the dangerous center of the Yankees bat lineup had more in store.
After Soto walked and Aaron Judge followed with a single, they both led off Jazz Chisolm Jr.’s sacrifice bunt. That cleared the way for Stanton, who came up again. He launched a three-run home run to left field – his fourth home run of the postseason – giving the Yankees a 6-2 lead.
Stanton’s outburst silenced the crowd at Progressive Field as they watched the ball travel into the stands, before circling the bases and being greeted by his teammates at home plate.
Just when it looked like the Yankees were in control, Cleveland’s relentless offense sparked another potential comeback.
In the seventh inning, Brian Rocchio drew a walk, and the stalwart Cowan followed with a single by Yankees reliever Jake Cousins. With the Guardians threatening, Yankees manager Aaron Boone turned to closer Clay Holmes to try to limit the damage.
Holmes first faced David Frye, who had hit home runs in Game 3 and struck out. However, Jose Ramírez hit an RBI double to make the score 6–3. Naylor followed with a two-run single, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 6–5 and sending the Cleveland crowd into a frenzy.
In the eighth inning, with Cleveland trailing by just one run, Fry tormented the Yankees again. He hit a returner to pitcher Mark Leiter Jr., who had trouble protecting the ball, and failed to throw the ball cleanly to Anthony Rizzo at first base, allowing Bo Naylor to score from third and tie the game at 6-6.
Despite getting back into the game, Cleveland couldn’t find any magic in the ninth inning. Yankees outfielder Tommy Kahnle allowed two runners on base but forced Roccio out to end the game.
After the game, Cleveland coach Steven Vogt was asked what the team’s mindset was heading into Saturday’s must-win game.
“We will show up and be ready to win. That’s who these guys are. When our backs are against the wall, we play our best baseball,” Vogt said confidently.
“We don’t give up. This team didn’t give up. It hasn’t been all year. It doesn’t matter how we play, the day before or the days before the game, this team is going to show up with the same attitude and mentality that we have every day, meaning “we will win”.
The Yankees are now one win away from winning their first AL pennant in 15 years. They can conclude the best-of-seven series in Game 5 on Saturday night in Cleveland.
After the game, Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton said the team remains focused on the task at hand.
“It doesn’t feel like anything until we get it done,” he said. “We didn’t do anything for me.
“We’ll have fun for now, but we have to get it done tomorrow and the next day.”
