Yanks Fall to Guardians, ALDS Tied 1–1
Stanton only offense, Cortes good in loss
The New York Yankees fell to the Cleveland Guardians 4–2 in 10 innings Friday.
The teams were scheduled to play Thursday night, but rain postponed the game to Friday afternoon.
The five-game set is now tied at one game apiece as the series shifts to Cleveland.
The offense scored early, but went quiet the rest of the game, leaving the bases loaded with only one out at one point without pushing across a run.
“We never expected any of this this time of year to be easy,” manager Aaron Boone said.
Game summary
Giancarlo Stanton clubbed a two-run home run off Guardians’ starter Shane Bieber in the first to set the tone for New York.
Cleveland got on the board in the fourth on Andrés Giménez’s RBI single and tied it in the fifth on an Ahmed Rosario solo home run.
Nestor Cortes went five innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking three, and striking out three.
Lou Trivino, Jonathan Loáisiga, Wandy Peralta, and Clay Holmes all had scoreless and hitless appearances to send the game to extras.
Jameson Taillon came in for his first-ever relief appearance and it did not go well.
He didn’t record an out and allowed two runs, and New York couldn’t respond in the bottom half.
Clarke Schmidt got out of the 10th inning unscathed.
Taillon (0–1 postseason record) picked up the loss.
Offensive performance
The Yankees led the league in home runs this year, however, they live and die by the long ball.
They were able to hit one early, but that was it.
If this team wants to go deep in the postseason and beat the Astros (barring a Mariners comeback), then more hitters need to put the ball in play and let the homers come themselves.
And it all starts with Aaron Judge.
This postseason, he is 0-for-8 with seven strikeouts, including a four-strikeout performance in game two.
He was booed off the field and admitted after the game that he needs to play better.
At the end of the day, the team revolves around the runaway MVP favorite.
Pitching performance
Cortes was good, but it was far from his best performance.
Three walks are concerning, but he limited the damage and kept the game tied for the bullpen, which was outstanding.
It was an interesting move for Boone to go with Taillon in the 10th inning, and it backfired immediately.
Two bloops, a throwing error, and a rocket double ended any chance at taking a commanding 2–0 series lead.
Looking ahead
Luis Severino will get the ball for game three in Cleveland. He will face Triston McKenzie.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:37 p.m. EST.
Let’s go Yankees!
