After last night’s drama, New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians fans could be forgiven for increased heart rates, labored breathing and feelings of dread.
Those hoping for a calmer night of the heart did not have their wishes fulfilled as the Yankees once again saw the lead slip through their fingers late in the game.
But unlike Game 3 of the ALCS, the Yankees had time to recover, and they did, with Alex Verdugo driving in the winning run and Gleyber Torres adding some insurance in the top of the ninth to win. 8-6 in Cleveland.
The Bronx Bombers are now one win away from their first World Series appearance since 2009.
They would face the winner of the National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which saw Game 5 of their series marked by home runs late Friday afternoon.
Yankees pitcher Tommy Khanle was credited with the save in New York’s Game 4 victory.
But in the ALCS, it was Mark Leiter Jr, a pitcher who was just called up to the team today following 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 in which he allowed crucial Yankee runs.
The Yankees started strong with a two-run hit by outfielder Juan Soto, who drove starter Gavin Williams to deep center field in the top of the first inning.
Cleveland responded that same inning when third baseman José Ramírez sent outfielder Steven Kwan home from third base to make the game 2-1.
New York responded in the next inning with a solo hit by catcher Austin Wells to center field. The Guardians stayed within striking distance with Josh Naylor’s RBI single in the bottom of the third to make it 3-2.
There the score stood for two more innings, raising the temperature of the situation inside Progressive Field in Ohio.
New York thought it had finally found its breakthrough in the top of the sixth when the heart of its lineup came to the plate.
Cleveland reliever Cade Smith walked Soto and then gave up a single to Judge. After Jazz Chisholm advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton drove Smith 404 feet deep into left center field to make it a 6-2 game.
Even then, Yankees fans were nervous. Sloppy play in the infield led to many difficult situations as Cleveland began to get back into the game.
Clay Holmes, who gave up the game-winning home run to David Fry the night before, was called with runners on first and third in the bottom of the seventh.
Holmes couldn’t keep his composure, giving up three runs and consecutive doubles by Ramirez and Josh Naylor to make the score 6-5.
MORE TO FOLLOW.