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The Cleveland Guardians were staring down elimination in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), trailing theNew York Yankees 2-0 in the series. With their season on the line, the Guardians delivered a dramatic comeback that kept their World Series hopes alive. After being down late, Cleveland rallied to win 7-5 on a walk-off home run, turning the series in their favor.
Throughout the season, the Guardians defied expectations by winning 92 games and capturing the AL Central title. Their roster, a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent, showcased resilience time and again. But in Game 3, facing the powerhouse Yankees, Cleveland needed a miracle to avoid falling into a 3-0 series deficit that few teams have overcome in postseason history.
That miracle came in the form of Jhonkensy Noel. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with two outs and a runner on base, Noel blasted a two-run home run off Yankees closer Luke Weaver to tie the game. Weaver, who had been perfect in eight save opportunities since September, faltered at the worst possible moment for New York. Noel's clutch performance breathed new life into the Guardians' season, setting the stage for more postseason heroics.
With the game tied 5-5 heading into extra innings, Cleveland's David Fry stepped up in the bottom of the 10th inning. After a single by Bo Naylor and a sacrifice bunt by Brayan Rocchio, Fry smashed a 1-2 sinker into the left-field bleachers for a two-run walk-off home run, giving Cleveland the win and pulling the series to 2-1. The Guardians had officially turned the tide in this ALCS showdown.
Yankees' lead slips away
For the Yankees, the loss was a heartbreaker. Just an inning earlier, Aaron Judge had put New York ahead with a two-run homer off Cleveland's dominant closer, Emmanuel Clase. Judge, who struggled earlier in the postseason, appeared to give the Yankees control of the game. Giancarlo Stanton followed with a solo homer, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead in the eighth inning.
Cleveland's walk-off victory not only reignited their postseason but also gave them a chance to tie the series in Game 4. The Guardians, who haven't won a World Series since 1948, are now just two wins away from advancing to the World Series for the first time in nearly a decade.
The stage is set for another thrilling matchup as the Guardians aim to build on their momentum. Game 4 will be crucial for both teams, with the Yankees looking to regroup and the Guardians hoping to extend their improbable run toward a World Series title.