Guardians-Yankees Drama Delayed By Rain
The Guardians-Yankees drama in game five started early today. Game was postponed last night due to rain. Cleveland’s starter Aaron Civale exited after just five batters, already trailing 3-0. Glayber Torres walked on four pitches, Aaron Judge struck out, and then Civale hit Anthony Rizzo. Giancarlo Stanton then reached out and swept a 88 MPH cutter over the short right field porch. After an infield hit by Josh Donaldson and Sam Hentges replaces Civale. Cleveland manager Terry Francona now counts on him to be a long reliever. Hentges worked around a walk to get the Guardians out of the first.
Nestor Cortes meanwhile looks sharp through the first two innings, allowing just a lead off hit to Steven Kwan. He needs just 18 pitches and his cutter and four seam fastball are both getting outs. Cleveland needs to show better patience against him. Aaron Judge extends the lead with a solo home run on a hanging curve ball. The Guardians now face a huge uphill battle on the road.
Cleveland Must Respond Soon Against Cortes
Cleveland’s response must come soon against Cortes. The Yankees bullpen now has plenty of rest after the rain out last night. Aaron Hicks leaves the game after colliding with Oswaldo Cabrera. Their knees hit on a fly ball down the left field line. A walk to Amed Rosario loads the bases after two singles. Jose Ramirez now faces Cortes, looking for his first hit ever against Nestor. Ramirez’s sacrifice fly brings home the Guardians first run. Oscar Gonzalez flies out on a cutter in and Cleveland only manages to get the single run.
Trevor Stephan represents yet another Cleveland reliever being asked to work more than one inning. He works a three up, three down bottom of third. Cleveland fails to challenge a missed call at first. Andres Gimenez would have been ruled safe at first if they had chosen to challenge the call. Stephan continues his strong work, striking out three so far. Cortes continues to make it difficult for Cleveland to come back. His three hits allowed and just 61 pitches suggest he may be able to go as far as eight innings. His start limits the Cleveland-New York drama of game five, so far. James Karinchak gives up a run scoring single to Rizzo after Torres walked and stole second. 5-1 Yankees, and they score their second run against a Cleveland bullpen that had looked impenetrable before today.
Does Cleveland Have Any Late Inning Magic Left?
Jonathan Loaisaga works his way in and out of trouble, giving up singles to Rosario and Ramirez. He gets out of it thanks to Cabrera, who moved to shortstop after Hicks left the game. Cabrera caught Josh Naylor’s hard line drive, and Gabriel Arias struck out to end the threat. Karinchak strikes out the pinch hitting Matt Carpenter and Torres after two were on. He hit Harrison Bader and gave up a single to Jose Trevino, but he continues the Guardians strong relief outings in the postseason by getting out of the jam.
Loaisaga puts Cleveland up against it, working his way around an Owen Miller infield single. The Guardians last chance may very well be in the top of the eighth with the heart of their order up. The heart of the Yankees order, Judge, Rizzo, and Stanton have done all the damage today. Two home runs and five RBIs between the three of them has been more than enough runs so far. Emmanuel Clase now called upon to get through then next four outs and hold New York. Karinchak gave up three hits, but also fanned three in 2.1 solid innings. Donaldson waves and misses at a 99 MPH cutter.
Guardians Season Ends As Yankees Advance To Face Astros
Power won out over contact. The Yankees big bats ensured they would advance to face the Houston Astros. They defeated a scrappy, young Cleveland team that gave them everything they could handle. Wandy Peralta gave up singles to Arias and Luke Maile, but he ultimately closed out the game. The Guardians now face an offseason figuring out how to improve their team with a lower payroll.
The Yankees now take on their nemesis in the Houston Astros. Houston now is considered the favorite to win it all. Houston eliminated New York in 2015, 2017, 2019. The Yankees struggled against the Astros this season as well. For them to advance to another World Series they will have to turn around and be ready in a hurry. Game one of the ALCS is in Houston tomorrow night.
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