The New York Yankees are one win away from the elusive World Series after defeating a resilient Cleveland Guardians team in Game 4 of the ALCS

CNN
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The New York Yankees are just one victory away from reaching the franchise’s first World Series since 2009.

The Yankees overcame a resilient Cleveland Guardians team for a thrilling 8-6 victory in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night.

Fueled by home runs from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees avoided heartbreak for the second night in a row to take a 3-1 lead.

Guardians All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase was once again shocked by the Yankees’ offense, allowing two runs in the ninth innings in the loss. In Game 3, Clase gave up back-to-back home runs but was saved by a clutch hit by the Guardians late in the game.

Teams that lead 3-1 in a best-of-seven postseason series have gone on to win the series 79 of 93 times, including 37 of 45 times in the LCS.

“I want a ring, I want a ring,” Stanton said after the game. “Anything I can do to help us win. Step by step, so this was a good step, as we got a lot of work to do.

“It was the right time to throw the first punch, no progression is safe but it was good to get the first punch, a great back and forth battle and be able to keep going.”

After a heartbreaking extra-inning loss in Game 3, the Yankees came out swinging. Gleyber Torres set the tone with a single in the first inning. Moments later, Soto crushed a two-run home run to center field, putting New York up 2–0 early.

Cleveland responded quickly, cutting the lead in half with an RBI fly from José Ramírez in the bottom of the first. But New York’s offense kept rolling. Yankees catcher Austin Wells hit a solo home run over 400 feet to center field in the third inning, extending the lead to 3-1.

The Guardians made it a one-run game in the bottom of the third when Josh Naylor drove in Stephen Cowan with a bunt to left field, cutting the deficit to 3-2. However, the Yankees’ dangerous middle of the bat lineup had more in store.

After Soto walked and Aaron Judge followed with a single, they both led off on Jazz Chisolm Jr.’s sacrifice bunt. This paved the way for Stanton, who turned himself in again. He launched a three-run home run to left field — his fourth home run of the postseason — giving the Yankees a 6-2 lead.

Stanton’s outburst silenced the crowd at Progressive Field as he watched the ball travel into the stands, before he strutted around the bases and was greeted by his teammates at home plate.

Just when it seemed like the Yankees were in control, Cleveland’s relentless offense sparked another potential comeback.

In the seventh inning, Brian Rocchio drew a walk, and the hard-hitting Cowan followed with a single off Yankees reliever Jake Cousins. With the Guardians threatening, Yankees manager Aaron Boone turned to closer Clay Holmes to try to limit the damage.

Holmes first faced David Frye, whom he had hit home runs in Game 3 and managed to strike out. However, Jose Ramírez scored an RBI double to make the score 6-3. Naylor followed with a two-run single, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 6-5 and sending the Cleveland crowd into a frenzy.

In the eighth inning, with Cleveland trailing by just one run, Fry tormented the Yankees again. He hit a returner to pitcher Mark Leiter Jr., who had trouble securing the ball, and failed to throw the ball cleanly to Anthony Rizzo at first base, allowing Bo Naylor to score from third and tie the game at 6-6.

Despite getting back into the game, Cleveland couldn’t find any magic in the ninth inning. Yankees outfielder Tommy Kahnle allowed two runners on base but forced Roccio out to end the game.

After the game, Cleveland manager Steven Vogt was asked about the team’s mentality heading into Saturday’s must-win game.

“We’re going to show up and be ready to win. That’s who these guys are. When our backs are against the wall, we play our best baseball,” Vogt said confidently.

“We don’t give up. This team hasn’t given up on it. It hasn’t been all year. It doesn’t matter how we play — the day before or the days leading up to the game — this team is going to show up with the same attitude and the same mentality that we do every day which is ‘We’re going to win.’

The Yankees are now one win away from winning their first AL pennant in 15 years. They can wrap up the best-of-seven series in Game 5 on Saturday night in Cleveland.

After the game, Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton said the team remains focused on the task at hand.

“It doesn’t feel like nothing until we get it done,” he said. “For me, we did nothing.

“We’ll enjoy this for now but we have to get it done tomorrow and the next day.”