The Cleveland Guardians pulled off a thrilling win against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, thanks to David Fry’s walk-off home run in the 10th inning. This victory kept their season alive, narrowing the series gap to 2-1. Fry’s homer was one of four incredible home runs that night.
Earlier, Jhonkensy Noel tied the game with a home run against Yankees closer Luke Weaver. Weaver had been nearly untouchable, allowing just two homers since September began. But before Noel’s heroics, the Yankees had turned a 3-1 deficit into a lead with back-to-back homers against Emmanuel Clase, known for his dominant pitching.
Clase is famous for his cutter pitch, which he uses almost as much as Kenley Jansen does. He threw four cutters to Aaron Judge during their matchup on Thursday night. Despite Clase’s usual strategy of aiming inside to right-handed batters, Judge managed to hit one out of the park for a game-tying home run.
Fans might think this game was one for the ages!
Judge admitted he didn’t expect it to be a homer at first: “I thought it was too low,” he said afterward. Typically, Clase’s outside cutters rarely result in hits; during regular season play, they usually led to singles or doubles at most.
Giancarlo Stanton Follows Suit
After Judge’s blast, Giancarlo Stanton stepped up and faced an unusual start from Clase—a slider instead of his signature cutter. Stanton fouled off this rare pitch and then battled through several more cutters before hammering another slider deep into right-center field.
Interestingly enough, Stanton’s hit marked only the second extra-base hit allowed by Clase’s slider all year—a testament to how extraordinary these back-to-back homers were.
Noel Strikes Back
The Guardians weren’t finished yet! In came Jhonkensy Noel in the ninth inning facing Luke Weaver who had been alternating between fastballs and changeups throughout his previous encounters with Cleveland hitters. On this occasion though—whether by intuition or chance—Noel anticipated correctly and launched Weaver’s changeup over the fence!
Weaver’s changeup had been highly effective all season long but failed him when it mattered most against Noel.
David Fry Seals The Deal
Finally came David Fry in extra innings facing Clay Holmes whose sinker pitches have baffled many batters before him without yielding any postseason runs until now… With Bo Naylor already on base after singling earlier that inning followed by strategic plays setting up two outs – Fry took advantage swinging hard at Holmes’ elevated sinker sending fans into wild celebration mode!
Holmes’ typically reliable sinker let him down just like others did earlier making way for unexpected outcomes throughout this intense playoff showdown where anything seemed possible under those bright stadium lights illuminating every twist turn surprise unfolding moment-by-moment…
Baseball playoffs are full surprises like these moments where unpredictable things happen leaving us wondering what will come next? What do you think about such exciting games?
