Cleveland suffered a heart-breaking 8-6 loss to the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night. All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase gave up two runs in the ninth inning, allowing the Yankees to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto led the offensive charge for the Yankees, with Soto hitting a two-run shot and Torres providing the go-ahead run with an RBI single. Giancarlo Stanton also contributed with a three-run homer in the sixth inning.
Despite the Guardians rallying in the seventh and eighth innings to tie the game, they fell short in the end. Cleveland’s rookie Jhonkensy Noel had a near-miss with a deep fly ball in the ninth that could have changed the outcome. Both teams struggled defensively, with the Yankees making a crucial error in the eighth inning that allowed Cleveland to tie the game.
The Guardians now face elimination, needing to win three straight games, including two at Yankee Stadium, to keep their World Series hopes alive. The Yankees, on the other hand, are looking to advance to their 41st World Series with a victory in Game 5. Manager Aaron Boone’s decision to bring in Tommy Kahnle to close out the game instead of closer Luke Weaver paid off, as Kahnle successfully shut down Cleveland’s offense in the final inning.
Stanton’s performance at the plate was crucial for the Yankees, who are one win away from securing a spot in the World Series. With the series shifting back to Yankee Stadium, Cleveland will need to regroup and find a way to turn things around to keep their postseason dreams alive.
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