Aaron Judge’s first home run of the postseason clinched the Yankees’ Game 2 victory. (Dustin Satloff/MLB Photo via Getty Images)
The New York Yankees took the lead in Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday, going after Cleveland Guardians ace Tanner Bibby in the second inning.
The Guardians fought back with a two-run fifth inning to cut the deficit to 3-2 and end Gerrit Cole’s night on the mound. But New York’s bullpen was up to the task, and Aaron Judge ended the game with his first home run of the postseason, giving the Yankees a 6-3 victory and a 2-0 lead in the ALCS. The series moves to Cleveland, and the Guardians desperately need a win in Game 3.
The Yankees arrive early at Bybee.
The Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the first inning with back-to-back hits by Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto, putting runners on the corners. Bybee seemed to have secured the Yankees’ first loss on Aaron Judge’s flyout. But shortstop Brayan Rocchio watched the routine out bounce off his glove and Torres scored from third base to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
The Yankees then took the lead in the second with three consecutive hits, including an RBI double by Alex Verdugo, extending their lead to 2-0. Bibby then struck out Torres, creating an unimaginable development. Cleveland intentionally loaded the bases on Judge.
Yankees force Steven Vogt to make unconventional decision
With one out and second and third base, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt liked the chance against Judge more than Soto. He intentionally gave Soto a walk, taking the ace out of the game. The bybee ended with four outs. Reliever Cade Smith appeared to confront the judges and did the best he could in the situation.
Judge hit a deep fly that became a sacrifice fly and extended New York’s lead to 3-0. Smith finished the inning without doing any further damage. However, the Guardians suddenly found themselves in an unscheduled bullpen game after getting four outs with their ace starting pitcher.
Vogt explained his decision to remove Bibby in the second inning in an in-game interview with TBS.
“Tanner is throwing the ball well, but they’re getting closer to him,” Vogt said. “They’re building up traffic. We felt it was time to get Cade and stop him. Hopefully we can mount some kind of attack.”
Eventually they started attacking, but it wasn’t enough.
Cole started the game with four shutout innings, and got out of a pinch with the bases loaded in the third inning. The Guardians loaded the bases again in the fourth inning, scoring the first two runs and ending Cole’s night after 4 1/3 innings. However, that was all they could do until Jose Ramirez hit a solo home run in the 9th inning.
New York’s bullpen did its job over the final 4 2/3 innings. He gained momentum after Judge hit his first home run of the postseason in the seventh inning. Judge’s two-run homer from Hunter Gaddis extended the Yankees’ lead to 6-2, and the game was all but decided.
Bibby pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, one walk and one strikeout. Cole allowed two earned runs on six hits, four walks, and four strikeouts. He couldn’t throw long enough to win. That honor goes to Clayton Holmes, who pitched 2/3 shutout innings.
Judge had one of his three RBIs at the plate and had one run scored with a home run. Torres went 3-for-5 in leadoff and scored two runs. The Guardians used eight pitchers on the night, but will no doubt be grateful to have Wednesday off.
If there’s any consolation for Cleveland, it’s that Bibby, who threw just 39 pitches Tuesday night, will likely be able to start again sooner than expected if given the chance. The first priority for the Guardians is to win Game 3, with first pitch scheduled for Thursday in Cleveland at 5:08 p.m.
More than 30 live coverages
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 11:06 PM EDT
Yankees win 6-3 and take a 2-0 lead in the ALCS
Luke Weaver allowed a solo home run to Jose Ramirez, but New York secured the final three outs. The Yankees won 6-3. The series moves to Cleveland with the Yankees holding a 2-0 ALCS lead. Game 3 begins Thursday at 5:08 p.m. ET.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 10:57 PM EDT
The 8th place Yankees have no insurance.
The Yankees had two runners on, but were unable to add any extra runs in the eighth inning. The Guardians were trailing 6-2 with three outs remaining in the top of the ninth inning.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 10:39 PM EDT
Guardians down to 3 outs
Brayan Rocchio hit a double, but the Guardians were unable to score in the eighth inning. They are leading 6-2 with three outs left.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 10:27 PM EDT
Aaron Judge leads off the game with his first home run of the postseason.
Aaron Judge did it. The best home run batter in baseball hit his first home run of the postseason in the bottom of the seventh inning, extending the Yankees’ lead.
With one man on first base and the Yankees holding a 4-2 lead, Judge fired a Hunter Gaddis fastball over the center field wall in a one-on-one at Yankee Stadium. The outburst extended New York’s lead to 6-2 and sent the Guardians to the ropes, putting them on the brink of an 0-2 ALCS hole.
The Guardians completed the inning without further damage and returned to the game with six outs remaining.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 10:11pm EDT
Lane Thomas issued a walk, but the Guardians were unable to score a run or put a runner on base in the top of the seventh inning. The Yankees hold a 4-2 lead, with only six outs remaining.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 10:05 PM EDT
Another base running error costs the Yankees.
The Yankees added one run, but one wonders what would have happened after a base-running error in the sixth inning resulted in two outs. Jazz Chisholm was picked off at second base after leading off with a double in the first inning. Then, with two outs, Anthony Rizzo was caught on a grounder to third base, ending the inning. After the sixth inning, the Yankees led 4-2.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:59 PM EDT
Yankees extend lead
The Yankees extended their lead and could have done more damage had Jazz Chisholm not been picked off at second base. Anthony Rizzo doubled down the right field line and Anthony Volpe hit first base. Volpe was initially off the pace at third base, but reversed and scored when Will Brennan bobbled the ball in right field.
Brennan committed an error and the Yankees extended their lead to 4-2 with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:52 PM EDT
Jazz Chisholm’s big mistake
Jazz Chisholm took the lead with a double in the bottom of the 6th inning, but was picked at second base and took a big lead with two outs. The Yankees are trying for a tag, but they’re clearly out. Instead of putting runners on first and second base with no outs, the Yankees put a man on first base with one out.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:45 PM EDT
Let’s hear it for Austin Wells
He struggled at the plate in September and has been quiet offensively so far this postseason, but let’s give defenseman Austin Wells some credit for getting behind the dish. This is a player that many scouts predicted would likely be a future first baseman or corner outfielder when he was a top prospect at the University of Arizona, but here he is as a rookie and already a player in the baseball world. He is one of the best defensive catchers.
His incredible block of Clay Holmes’ slider with the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning, denying him the game-tying shot, was the latest notable example of Wells’ excellent glove work.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:41 PM EDT
Tim Hill pitched six 1-2-3 innings for the Yankees, with both bullpens working. The Yankees maintained a 3-2 lead.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:34 PM EDT
Guardians relief pitcher Eli Morgan gets Aaron Judge, Austin Wells, and Giancarlo Stanton out on six pitches in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Yankees headed into the 6th inning with a 3-2 lead.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:28 PM EDT
The Guardians cut their lead over the Yankees to 3-2.
The Guardians added their second run on Will Brennan’s RBI grounder. Clay Holmes then walked Andres Jimenez before striking out Austin Hedges with the bases loaded to end the top of the fifth inning. The Yankees led 3-2.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:21 PM EDT
Guardians have bases loaded again, chasing Gerrit Cole.
Guardian is participating. For the second consecutive inning, they loaded the bases against Gerrit Cole, this time with no outs and the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Josh Naylor hit a sacrifice fly to Steven Kwan, cutting New York’s lead to 3-1. Cole then walked Lane Thomas on a full count to load the bases again and his night was over.
In the fourth inning, with the Yankees holding a 3-1 lead, Clay Holmes took the mound with one out and the bases loaded. Will Brennan is scheduled to appear.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:09 PM EDT
Tim Herrin pitches four scoreless innings for the Guardians.
After seeing the Guardians take a 3-0 lead over the Yankees, Cleveland’s bullpen is getting the job done. Tim Herrin replaced Cade Smith for the fourth inning, allowing only a single to Gleyber Torres. The Guardians will look to close the gap to 3-0 in the fifth.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:09 PM EDT
Gerrit Cole gets over it
Gerrit Cole’s command wasn’t particularly sharp tonight, but his pure delivery was very good, with plenty of help from the eager Guardians batsmen (David Fry’s pinch-hitting, first-pitch pop-up). ), he was able to complete four scoreless innings.
But his pitch count has reached 70 pitches, and it remains to be seen how long manager Aaron Boone will use him, and which relief pitcher he will choose after relying heavily on Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver in Game 1. It will be interesting to see who resorts to it.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 8:58 PM EDT
Gerrit Cole escapes from a predicament with the bases loaded.
With the Guardians with one out and the bases loaded in the fourth inning, manager Stephen Vogt brought in pinch hitter David Frye in place of catcher Bo Naylor.
Gerrit Cole induced a first-swing pop-up off a fly ball with the second out of the inning. He then struck out Brayan Rocchio on nine pitches, preserving the Yankees’ 3-0 lead. The Guardians removed their starting pitcher and catcher from the game.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 8:47 PM EDT
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt explains decision to move forward with Tanner Bibby
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt explained in an in-game interview with TBS that the decision was made to pull ace Tanner Bibby after he pitched just one and a half innings. With the bases loaded in the second inning and the Yankees holding a 2-0 lead, Manager Vogt replaced Bibby with long reliever Cade Smith, and Aaron Judge came to bat.
“Tanner is throwing the ball well, but they’re getting closer to him,” Vogt said. “They’re building up traffic. We felt it was time to get Cade and stop him. Hopefully we can mount some kind of attack.”
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 8:44 PM EDT
Cade Smith pitched three innings with a 1-2-3 record, and the Yankees failed for the first time in Game 2 without a runner on base. He struck out Anthony Volpe to end the inning. The Yankees hold a 3-0 lead after three points.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 8:44 PM EDT
There are still plenty of innings left for the Guardians to cover.
Stephen Vogt’s decision to intentionally walk Juan Soto and force Aaron Judge to load the bases with one out was certainly a bold decision, but Cade Smith succeeded in winning the game, allowing just one run and closing out the frame. I was able to finish it. It all came together to be a decent result for Cleveland. considered.
Still, the decision to remove starter Tanner Bibby after just four outs will have a significant impact on the rest of the game. Yes, tomorrow is an off day, but there are still plenty of innings left to cover, even for the rookie Guardians bullpen, which didn’t show any elite skill in Game 1.
And even if the relievers are able to keep this game close, a three-point deficit against Gerrit Cole isn’t a particularly easy mountain to climb. You can argue about the bullpen buttons Vogt is pushing, but if Cleveland can’t score, that selection will matter less.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 8:39 PM EDT
The Guardians put pressure on Gerrit Cole for the first time in the third inning, but no runs were scored. Brayan Rocchio’s single and Stephen Kwan’s walk put two men on base with one out.
Cole then got Kyle Manzardo and Jose Ramirez out and finished the inning unscathed. The Yankees entered the bottom of the third inning with a 3-0 lead.
