After last night’s back-and-forth drama, fans of the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians can be forgiven for their increased heart rates, bated breath and feelings of anxiety.
Those hoping for an easier night on the heart didn’t see their wishes come true as the Yankees saw another lead slip through their fingers late in the ballgame.
But unlike Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, the Yankees had time to recover – and they did, with Alex Verdugo driving in the winning run and Gleyber Torres grabbing insurance in the top of the ninth to win 8-6 in the top of the ninth. Cleveland.
The Bronx Bombers are now one win away from their first World Series appearance since 2009.
They were scheduled to face the winner of the National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers – in which Game 5 of their series was interrupted by home runs late Friday afternoon.
Yankees pitcher Tommy Khanle was credited with the save in the Game 4 win in New York
But in the ALCS, it was Mark Leiter Jr – a pitcher who was only called up to the team today after an injury to reliever Ian Hamilton in Game 3 – who earned the win for the Yankees.
Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase was credited with the loss after a second straight night of giving up crucial Yankee runs.
The Yankees started strong with a two-run blast off the bat of outfielder Juan Soto – who brought starter Gavin Williams to deep center field in the top of the first inning.
Cleveland responded that same inning when third baseman Jose Ramirez sent outfielder Steven Kwan home from third base to make it a 2-1 game.
New York responded the next inning with a solo blast from catcher Austin Wells to center field. The Guardians stayed within reach with Josh Naylor’s RBI single in the bottom of the third, making it 3-2.
The score remained there for two more innings, making the situation even worse inside Progressive Field in Ohio.
New York thought they finally found their breakthrough in the top of the sixth inning when the heart of their lineup came to the plate.
Cleveland reliever Cade Smith walked Soto and then singled against Judge. After Jazz Chisholm advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt, design hitter Giancarlo Stanton took Smith 400 feet deep to left center field and made it a 6-2 ball game.
Even then, there were nerves for Yankees fans. Sloppy infield play led to many close calls as Cleveland started to get back into the game.
Clay Holmes, who gave up the game-winning home run to David Fry the night before, was called up with runners on first and third base in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Holmes couldn’t keep the score together, giving up three runs on back-to-back doubles by Ramirez and Josh Naylor to make it 6-5.
MORE TO FOLLOW.