Cleveland's postseason hopes stayed alive thanks to two dramatic swings by Noel and David Fry. The Guardians staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the New York Yankees 7-5 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday night, tightening the series to 2-1.
Pinch-hitter Noel launched a two-run home run in the ninth inning, tying the game just as Cleveland was on the brink of elimination. Then, in the 10th inning, Fry hit a two-run blast that sealed the Guardians' victory, delivering a memorable finish for Cleveland fans at Progressive Field.
Cleveland’s season, which saw them win 92 games and claim the AL Central title, appeared to be slipping away after Yankees stars Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit home runs in the eighth inning to give New York a 4-3 lead. Judge's two-run shot came off Cleveland's All-Star closer, Emmanuel Clase, while Stanton added a solo homer shortly after.
But Cleveland, a team known for its resilience, refused to quit. Noel's two-run homer, which came with two outs in the ninth, ignited the crowd and set the stage for Fry's walk-off heroics in the 10th. The victory was a testament to the Guardians' never-give-up attitude, a quality that first-year manager Stephen Vogt praised.
“We never quit," Vogt said. "We got punched in the teeth, but our guys stepped up. That was really fun to see.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone also acknowledged the intensity of the game, calling it a true display of playoff baseball. "Both sides just kept coming with big at-bats, big moments," Boone said. "They outlasted us."
The game featured a series of dramatic moments, starting with Cleveland's two-run deficit in the ninth. Luke Weaver, who had been flawless as the Yankees' closer since September, was just one out away from sealing the win when Cleveland's Lane Thomas doubled, setting the stage for Noel's game-tying homer.
Fry's homer in the 10th inning came after Bo Naylor singled and advanced to third on a sacrifice and a grounder. Fry, who had already delivered a crucial home run in the Division Series against Detroit, sent the crowd into a frenzy with his blast into the left-field bleachers.
“It was amazement,” Fry said of Noel’s homer. “But at the same time, it was like, yeah, of course he did that. It’s just so cool.”
Cleveland starter Matthew Boyd went five solid innings, giving the Guardians some much-needed length after a taxing postseason for their bullpen. Rookie Kyle Manzardo also chipped in with a two-run homer in the third inning.
Despite a tough loss, the Yankees remain confident. "We still have another game, even if we were up 3-0," Judge said, emphasizing that New York isn't looking too far ahead.
Cleveland can now tie the series with a win on Friday as they continue their pursuit to end their 76-year World Series drought, which stretches back to 1948.
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