Cleveland Guardians Secure Dramatic ALCS Game 3 Win Over New York Yankees in Extra Innings

In a thrilling contest at Progressive Field on Thursday evening, the Cleveland Guardians clawed their way back to victory against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The Guardians’ decisive 7-5 win in ten innings was anchored by critical home runs from Jhonkensy Noel and David Fry, allowing Cleveland to avoid an almost certain 3-0 series deficit.

Jhonkensy Noel, affectionately known as “Big Christmas” in Cleveland, delivered a crucial two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. This blast came after New York Yankees closer Luke Weaver allowed a sharp two-out double to Lane Thomas, setting the stage for Noel’s dramatic game-tying moment.

In the subsequent inning, David Fry stepped up to propel Cleveland to victory with a two-run homer against Yankees reliever Clay Holmes. This victory energizes the Guardians, who were on the verge of falling significantly behind in the best-of-seven series.

The Yankees initially seemed poised for a commanding lead after Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton each hit home runs off Cleveland’s closer Emmanuel Clase in the eighth inning. Judge’s two-run homer tied the game, while Stanton’s solo shot briefly put New York ahead 4-3.

Cleveland fought back after a strategic decision by manager Stephen Vogt brought in Emmanuel Clase, replacing Hunter Gaddis who had walked Juan Soto. However, the high-stakes performance from Judge and Stanton tested the Guardians’ resiliency, only for Noel’s and Fry’s heroics to steal the spotlight.

Prior to the late-game fireworks, early homers also defined the game. In the third inning, Cleveland rookie Kyle Manzardo hit his first playoff home run, giving the Guardians a temporary lead. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ Jose Trevino had started the scoring in the second inning with a sharp single, driving in Anthony Volpe after a walk and double from Alex Verdugo.

The game featured a notable relief pitching performance from the Yankees’ Ian Hamilton, who managed to retire key batters in the sixth inning, disrupting the Guardians’ momentum as they maintained a 2-1 lead.

Now trailing 2-1 in the ALCS, the Guardians foster hope as Game 4 approaches, with the Yankees’ rookie Luis Gil scheduled to face Cleveland’s bolstered roster. The series remains highly competitive as both teams eye the coveted American League pennant.