Guardians Stage Stunning Comeback Against Yankees in ALCS

In a thrilling display of resilience, the Cleveland Guardians pulled off a dramatic comeback against the New York Yankees, winning Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) 7-5 in extra innings. This victory cuts the series deficit to 2-1 and keeps Cleveland’s hopes alive in the best-of-seven matchup.

The Guardians found themselves on the brink of a devastating 0-3 series hole. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Cleveland rallied when rookie Jhonkensy Noel and postseason standout David Fry delivered clutch pinch-hit home runs, stunning the Yankees and igniting the home crowd at Progressive Field.

The Yankees had taken a commanding lead, looking to put the series out of reach. In the top of the eighth, their captain Aaron Judge and slugger Giancarlo Stanton hit back-to-back home runs off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, putting New York ahead 4-3. Clase, who boasted an impressive 0.61 ERA during the regular season, was considered one of the best closers in the league, having allowed just two home runs in 74.1 innings pitched.

Cleveland threatened in the bottom of the eighth, putting runners on first and second. Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted for closer Luke Weaver to secure a four-out save, but he escaped the inning by striking out Fry, maintaining New York’s lead.

The Yankees added an insurance run in the ninth, extending their advantage to 5-3. Weaver returned to the mound, seeking to seal the game. After a fielding error by Anthony Rizzo put a runner on base, Weaver managed to induce a double play, leaving him just one out away from victory. However, the Guardians had other plans.

In a moment that shifted the momentum, Noel, affectionately known as “Big Christmas,” came to the plate and launched a two-run homer that tied the game, sending shockwaves through the stadium. The jubilant reaction from the home fans felt like a holiday celebration, as Cleveland’s spirits soared.

The drama didn’t end there. In the bottom of the tenth inning, Fry emerged as the hero once again, hitting a two-run walk-off home run that clinched the win for the Guardians. Fry’s clutch hitting has been a defining aspect of Cleveland’s postseason; he previously hit a go-ahead homer in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, a series the Guardians ultimately won.

After the game, Fry reflected on the team’s determination. “When everybody thinks we can’t do it, we think we can. Manzo hits a huge homer early. I still don’t know how Jhonkensy hit a homer off that guy; that was such a cool at-bat. What a win. Matt Boyd was so good; that was fun,” he said during a TBS broadcast. “We’ve got a lot more to do, though, but it was fun tonight.”

This thrilling victory provides a spark of hope for the Guardians in their quest for a World Series title, which has eluded the franchise since 1948. Historically, teams that win Game 3 after trailing 2-0 in a seven-game series have gone on to win the series 14 out of 51 times, with a slightly better record in LCS matchups.

Boone acknowledged the tough loss, calling the game “kind of a classic.” He praised both teams for their fierce competition, noting, “That was an amazing game to witness. Playoff baseball, both sides just kept coming with haymakers and big at-bats. … They outlasted us tonight.”

As the Guardians prepare for Game 4 on Friday, they aim to even the series and continue their pursuit of a championship. The upcoming match promises to be another intense battle, with both teams eager to assert their dominance in this high-stakes playoff environment.