Yankees Force Game 5 Against Guardians

The New York Yankees force Game 5 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians after winning 4-2 Sunday at Progressive Field.

Game 5 tomorrow.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/DW5rTAtWLm

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 17, 2022

After taking Game 1, the Yankees lost two consecutive games on Friday and Saturday. Down 2-1 and at the edge of elimination, the AL East Champions fought hard for a comeback in Game 4.

Taking an Early Lead

The Yankees took an early lead from the first inning before the Guardians even had the chance to hit. Anthony Rizzo’s RBI base knock contributed to a Gleyber Torres run that put them on the board. Rizzo had one run, two hits and one RBI while Torres had one run and one hit.

https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1581785981166182400

In the second inning, former Gator Harrison Bader smashed a two-run HR, bringing the Yankee’s lead to 3-0. Bader has three homers in his first four postseason games with the Yankees. The record currently ties with Charlie Keller’s club mark set in 1939. Overall, Bader ended with one run, one hit and two RBI.

https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1581790520028073984

Guardians Catching Up

The Guardians started to catch up from the third inning. First, José Ramírez’ RBI put the Guardians on the board with a run for Steven Kwan. Then, Josh Naylor hit a solo home run to cut the Yankees’ lead to 3-2. Naylor’s home run had an exit velocity of 110.3mph. This is the third-hardest-hit homer of his career.

https://twitter.com/CleGuardians/status/1581804446928973826

The Yankees extended the lead again in the sixth inning when Giancarlo Santon hit deep and led to another run. On the other hand, Yankees’ pitcher, Gerrit Cole, was key to the Yankees’ win. Even though he started slow and allowed a homer, he locked in later and ended the game with six hits, two ER, one BB, and eight SO over seven innings pitched.

https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1581831735054327818

The deal was sealed when Yankees pitcher, Wandy Peralta, ended the game with two weak grounders and a strikeout.

https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1581846626800238593

Win or Go Home

https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1581848924721057793

The series returns to Yankee Stadium Wednesday for Game 5. First pitch is at 7:07 p.m. The winner will advance to the ALCS to face the Houston Astros.