Christmas came early in Cleveland.
On Thursday, the Cleveland Guardians secured a season-saving extra-innings win, defeating the New York Yankees 7-5 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field. The Guardians will look to even up the best-of-seven series on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.
Here are three takeaways from Cleveland’s thrilling victory:
Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton come through in the clutch
Game 3 was undoubtedly the most frustrating loss of the 2024 postseason for New York, but for a moment, it appeared as if it would be one of the team’s most memorable victories.
After Guardians right-hander Hunter Gaddis issued a two-out walk to Yankees outfielder Juan Soto in the eighth inning with his team leading 3-1, manager Stephen Vogt brought in star closer Emmanuel Clase to pitch to slugger Aaron Judge.
Judge’s postseason struggles have been well documented, but the six-time All-Star finally had his October moment on Thursday. Judge, down to his last strike in the at-bat, sent a 99 mph Clase cutter 358 feet to right field, just clearing the fence for a game-tying two-run homer.