Guardians Outlast Yankees in 12 Innings, Longest Game of the Season
Pinch-hitter Lane Thomas delivered a tiebreaking double to spark a six-run 12th inning, and the Cleveland Guardians outlasted the New York Yankees 9-5 on Tuesday night in the longest major league game this season.
The game was a tense affair from the start, with both teams starting the night in first place. The two teams went back and forth, trading blows throughout the game. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back homers in the first, but Cleveland came right back and the game was tied at 3 after four innings. Despite numerous chances on both sides, neither offense managed to score again until the 12th.
Thomas, who was hitting just .113 (6 for 53) in 16 games with the Guardians, came through in a big way when he batted for Bo Naylor leading off the 12th. He lined a 2-2 sinker from left-hander Tim Mayza (0-2) into right field to score automatic runner Daniel Schneemann from second.
"I think it was huge for him," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. "Obviously, it’s a huge hit for us. We left a couple of people in scoring position tonight. It was just something that we needed and for him to come though, I know that’s going to be big for him. And it catapulted that huge inning."
The hit seemed to spark the Guardians, who added five more runs in the inning. Jose Ramirez, intentionally walked in the 10th, followed with an RBI single off Michael Tonkin. After a walk to Tyler Freeman, David Fry laced a bases-loaded triple that made it 8-3. Guardians rookie Jhonkensy Noel added an RBI infield single when Tonkin was slow to cover first base.
"Really cool to see," Fry said about Thomas’ clutch swing. "I think we were all thinking he was going to do it. It’s all we need. We just need one to kind of let everybody loosen up and get the rest of the big hits."
Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase pitched two innings for the first time this season and retired Alex Verdugo with two on to end the 10th. Tim Herrin (5-0) was aided by Schneemann’s leaping catch in right field on Austin Wells' drive and stranded two runners in the 11th.
The Yankees attempted to rally in the bottom of the 12th, but Scott Barlow allowed Judge’s two-run double before finishing the game that lasted 4 hours, 5 minutes - the longest in the big leagues this year.
Guardians’ Clutch Hitting and Strong Pitching Secure Victory
The Guardians' victory was a testament to their clutch hitting and strong pitching. The team drew 14 walks for the first time since Sept. 9, 1979, and despite stranding 20 runners, they managed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities in the 12th inning. Their pitching was also impressive, with Clase and Herrin combining to shut down the Yankees’ offense in the late innings.
Yankees Struggles Continue
The Yankees, on the other hand, struggled offensively, going 1 for 16 with runners in scoring position. They also left 12 runners on base, which ultimately cost them the game. Luis Gil, the Yankees' starting pitcher, exited the game in the fourth inning due to back tightness, and the team was forced to rely on its bullpen for the rest of the game. The Yankees' bullpen, which had been a strength for them this season, faltered in this game, allowing six runs in the 12th inning alone.
The loss dropped the Yankees a half-game behind the Orioles atop the AL East, while the Guardians increased their AL Central lead to 3 1/2 games over Kansas City and Minnesota. The Yankees will look to bounce back in the second game of the series on Wednesday, while the Guardians will hope to continue their winning ways.
Looking Ahead
The Guardians and Yankees will meet again on Wednesday, with Nestor Cortes (6-10, 4.20 ERA) pitching for the Yankees. The Guardians have not announced their starting pitcher for Wednesday's game.
The Yankees will then host the Colorado Rockies for a weekend series, while the Guardians will travel to Chicago to face the White Sox. Both teams will be looking to maintain their momentum in the second half of the season.
This game was a classic battle between two of the best teams in baseball, and it showed that the race for the top spot in the American League will be a close one all the way to the end. The Guardians' victory was a reminder that anything can happen in baseball, and that even the best teams are not immune to upsets.
