Cortes, Stanton Help Send Yankees to ALCS
Game one against Houston starts Wednesday
The New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5–1 on Tuesday to win the series 3–2.
New York will travel to Houston to face the Astros on Wednesday for game one of the best-of-seven series.
Nestor Cortes got the call on three days’ rest after the game was moved from Monday to Tuesday because of rain.
And he was brilliant.
He gave the Yankees five innings of one-run ball, exactly what the club could have hoped for.
“I said it’s going to take all of us,” manager Aaron Boone said.
“Just happy for these guys that they’re performing the way they are.”
Game summary
Guardians starter Aaron Civale only lasted one out in the first inning, but not before Giancarlo Stanton lined a three-run home run into the right field seats.
Aaron Judge tacked on another with a solo shot in the second inning.
Cleveland scored their lone run in the third when José Ramírez hit a sac fly to make it 4–1.
The Yankees added one more when Anthony Rizzo blooped in an RBI single.
Cortes gave the Yanks five innings, allowing a run on three hits, walking one, and striking out two.
Jonathan Loáisiga relieved Cortes and threw two scoreless innings.
Clay Holmes pitched a perfect ninth and Wandy Peralta got the last three outs in the ninth.
Cortes (1–0) earned a gusty win.
Offensive performance
The tone was set early and set in a big way.
Stanton and Judge are the two hitters that make the offense run. If they hit, the Yankees will probably win the game. If they don’t, they tend to lose.
On Tuesday, they combined for two home runs and four RBI and gave Cortes all the runs he needed to close out this hard-fought series.
Stanton hits around .300 in the postseason and has proven to be one of, if not their best hitters in October.
It wasn’t easy (or pretty), but they found a way and now need a find a way to get past the best team left in the postseason, the Houston Astros.
Pitching performance
On three days’ rest, Cortes pitched the game of his life.
After loading the bases in the third with only one out, Cortes wiggled his way out of trouble with only one run allowed.
It was the only real threat for Cleveland against Cortes.
The bullpen was outstanding, and the extra day of rest certainly helped.
Gerrit Cole was available in relief. He was warming up in the ninth inning if Peralta got in trouble, but Peralta navigated his way through.
The pressure is on for the starters and bullpen for tomorrow’s quick turnaround in Houston.
Looking ahead
New York will fly to Houston to take on the Astros tomorrow at 7:37 p.m. EST.
Jameson Taillon will make his first start of the postseason and will face Justin Verlander.
Eight more wins.
Let’s go Yankees!
